Royal Philips Electronics and Jilin Sino-Microelectronics Co. Ltd (JSMC) recently announced the establishment of a joint venture to develop, design and manufacture bipolar power products to be marketed and sold by the parent companies.

Financial details were not disclosed. The new company, Philips Jilin Semiconductor Co. Ltd, which is to be located in Jilin City, Jilin Province in China, will serve the international and domestic markets, focusing on bipolar power products ranging from Epitaxial Diodes, Deflection Transistors, Damper Diodes, Triacs and Thyristors. The new joint venture is expected to begin operations mid-2004, supplying highly competitive, high quality products in markets including consumer electronics, white goods, lighting, power supplies and industrial.

Philips Semiconductors has been leading in power product development for more than 20 years, bringing process and manufacturing innovations to the market. JSMC – one of the largest power transistor manufacturers in China – is an important supplier to the manufacturers of television sets, telecommunications equipment, computer hardware and automation machinery.

"Philips has made substantial investments in China exceeding US$ 2.5 billion, and we see the Jilin JV as a strategic continuation of this investment. JSMC has demonstrated its ability to quickly build and ramp-up production of a state-of-the art facility, and the plant location allows us to tap the skills and experience of the people in the region," stated Scott McGregor, chief executive officer, Philips Semiconductors. "We know that the technology, manufacturing and customer service expertise of the two companies will make a formidable combination."