Osram and Siemens Team for Optoelectronics

The Semiconductor Group (HL) of Siemens AG, Berlin and Munich, and lamp manufacturer and Siemens subsidiary Osram GmbH are forming a joint venture for optoelectronic semiconductors, effective Jan. 1, 1999. Current activities exclusively pursued by Siemens Semiconductors will be assumed by the new joint venture.

Based in Regensburg, Germany, the joint venture will operate under the name Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH & Co. (OHG). Osram has a majority interest of 51%. Rudiger Muller, currently responsible for opto semiconductors at Siemens Semiconductors, will head the new company, and Robert Wittgen, now in charge of corporate planning at Osram, will be head of business administration.

Siemens' Semiconductors Group will contribute its current business in light-emitting diodes, infrared components, power lasers, and displays. These activities also include marketing and development in Regensburg and Cupertino, Calif., as well as chip production in Regensburg and assembly in Malaysia; the joint venture will continue to use sales channels employed by Siemens Semiconductors.

Osram will give the joint venture greater access to the market for lighting applications. The lamp manufacturer also has special expertise in electronic lighting systems as well as in materials such as glass and fluorescent substances, which are increasingly being used in LED production.