SigmaTel (SGTL) is expanding its focus in mainland China's semiconductor and consumer electronics manufacturing industry with a new office in Shenzhen.

The Shenzhen office will provide direct, local support to its growing number of electronics manufacturing customers in China. The company currently serves over 200 customers in the Greater China area. Initially, SigmaTel will staff its Shenzhen office with up to 40 personnel, half of which will be engineers that will focus on applications support and development. Eventually, the facility will house more than 80 employees.

According to research firm iSuppli Corp, China's consumer electronics (CE) manufacturing revenue will expand 9.3 percent to US$58.7 billion this year, up from US$53.7 billion in 2004. One CE product that continues to impact market growth is the MP3 player, an audio device in which SigmaTel's audio controller chips are embedded. iSuppli predicts China's MP3 player production will reach an estimated 53 million units this year, up 60 percent from a year ago.