Friday, 14 September 2007

NXP Invests in European Mobile Speaker Facility

NXP Semiconductors has decided to invest in its Sound Solutions innovation and manufacturing activities in Vienna, Austria to fully expand the automated mass production of its rectangular speaker generation for mobile phones and drive innovation to strengthen its market leadership position.

The independent semiconductor company founded by Philips will set aside some 42 million euros, which is part of it's planned capital expenditure program, as part of this investment.

“Currently, nearly 40% of mobile phones can play MP3 music and high profile music phones coming to market will increase the demand for high performing mini sound systems. The market will also be driven by traditional applications such as hands-free listening and polyphonic ring tones as well powering portable sound accessories that allow people to enjoy the quality of great music,” commented Marc Cetto, Executive Vice President, NXP Mobile and Personal Business Unit.

Nearly one in three phones sold in the world incorporates an NXP speaker system. NXP sales are predicted to increase to some 550 million sound components in 2007, an annual increase of over 50 percent, and the company aims to create over one billion units by 2010.

NXP’s decision to locate its expanding Sound Solutions Production Line in Vienna is based on decades of local expertise in acoustic solutions, innovation in products and processes and the ability to quickly respond to customer needs. NXP continues to use its European operations to develop innovative products that are competitively priced against competition from Asia and in line with consumer demands.

Headquartered in Vienna and with a subsidiary in Beijing, NXP’s Sound Solutions Business Line employs over 1000 people, of whom 450 are in Vienna.