Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Hong Kong, China, Royal Philips Electronics and TPV Technology Limited today announced they have signed a definitive agreement for the sale and transfer of certain Philips’ monitor and entry level flat screen television business to TPV. This is an important milestone in a process that TPV and Philips initiated with the signing of a Letter of Intent on December 16, 2004, which expressed both parties’ intention to enter into this transaction. The completion of the transaction remains subject to all relevant regulatory and other approvals.
As per the definitive agreement, TPV will take over Philips’ existing OEM monitor business as well as the manufacturing of monitors and entry level Flat TV products that Philips will continue to market and sell under its own brand. Philips is contributing assets and resources to TPV relating to these activities. The combination of TPV and Philips’ monitor and entry level Flat TV business will create a global leader in the monitors and Flat TV assembly market. TPV will become the world’s largest PC monitor manufacturer with annual volume well exceeding 35 million units.
The businesses transferred from Philips to TPV amount to approximately USD 2 billion or EUR 1.6 billion at current exchange rates. This number includes the transfer of EUR 750 million sales on OEM Monitor business to TPV. The remaining EUR 850 million is related to the outsourcing of Philips branded monitor and Flat TV products. Philips will become a substantial shareholder of TPV. Philips and TPV have agreed that Philips’ contribution to TPV represents and is valued at 30% of the enlarged market capitalization of TPV to be settled by 15% newly issued shares in TPV and the remaining value by way of a convertible bond.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world’s biggest electronics companies and Europe’s largest, with sales of EUR 30.3 billion in 2004. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 160,900 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at philips.com/newscenter.
About TPV Technology Limited
TPV Technology Limited (HKEX: 0903/SGX: TPV) is a leading solutions provider in monitor display technology. The Group designs and produces a wide range of CRT and TFT-LCD PC monitors for distribution to over 30 countries. TPV’s products add value to customers through cost leadership, timely delivery and superior quality. TPV brands include AOC and Envision.
Currently, TPV is the world’s largest TFT-LCD monitor manufacturer and No. 2 for CRT monitor in term of unit shipments. The Company has been listed on both Hong Kong and Singapore stock exchanges since 8th October 1999 and is a component stock of the Strait Times Index of Singapore. TPV ranks 36 in the most recent BusinessWeek’s Info Tech 100 IT companies.
