Micronas Semiconductor Holding AG
Micronas Expands Into HDTV Market With Acquisition of LINX Electronics
Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Micronas Expands Into HDTV Market With Acquisition of LINX Electronics
Micronas To Provide Best-In-Class ATSC Receiver Technology
Zurich, Switzerland, May 14, 2004 – Micronas today announced that it has signed
an agreement to acquire LINX Electronics, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company
that develops innovative digital television solutions for improved reception of
high-definition television (HDTV) signals. This transaction, which is expected
to be completed in June 2004, will enable Micronas to further expand its
comprehensive TV system solutions portfolio.
The purchase price of approximately USD 26 million will be paid in cash and
Micronas’ shares. Chicago-based LINX Electronics employs a highly acclaimed
HDTV technology team of about 20 engineers and brings complementary technology
to Micronas. The purchase includes all development activities and patents held
by LINX Electronics.
“With this acquisition we have taken another decisive step forward in our
digital TV business, strengthening our position in the TV market and providing
increased value and services for our customers,” said Micronas’ vice president
consumer products unit, Hans-Juergen Désor. “Our existing strength in Digital
Video Broadcast (DVB) technology, combined with the expertise gained with this
acquisition, puts us in the excellent position to shape the era of global
migration from analog to digital TV.”
“HDTV is a reality now! Our technology enables an exciting new TV experience,”
explained Wayne Li, co-founder of LINX Electronics. “As part of the Micronas
Group, we will be able to better serve these markets by offering manufacturers
innovative and comprehensive system solutions for their future applications.”
Since the late 1980s, the global economic superpowers have been in a race to
bring digital TV to the consumer market. Three international standards have
been created: US-ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee), Europe-DVB
(Digital Video Broadcast), and Japan-ISDB (Integrated Services Digital
Broadcasting). The US is currently the largest HDTV market, with deployment
accelerating due to a phase-in plan mandated by the US Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) requiring TV manufacturers to integrate digital TV tuners into
nearly all their TV products by 2007. LINX Electronics has developed a
breakthrough ATSC compliant receiver technology that delivers superior
reception to more consumers. Typical applications include HDTVs, set-top boxes,
personal video recorders (PVRs), DVD recorders as well as PC tuner cards. LINX
Electronics has a solid background in addressing new digital TV broadcasting
formats.
end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 14.05.2004
Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad-hoc-announcement:
About Micronas
Micronas (SWX Swiss Exchange: MASN, Frankfurt: MNSN, Prime Standard Segment,
TecDAX), a semiconductor designer and manufacturer with worldwide operations,
is a leading supplier of cutting-edge IC and sensor system solutions for
consumer and automotive electronics. As a market leader in innovative, global
TV system solutions, Micronas leverages its expertise into new markets emerging
through the digitization of audio and video content. Micronas serves all major
consumer brands worldwide, many of them in continuous partnerships seeking
joint success. While the holding is headquartered in Zurich (Switzerland),
operational headquarters are based in Freiburg (Germany). Currently, the
Micronas Group employs about 1750 people. In 2003, it generated CHF 767 million
in sales. For more information on Micronas and its products, please visit
http://www.micronas.com.
Investor Relations/Corporate Contact:
Susy Krucker, Phone: +41 (1) 445-3960, investor@micronas.com
Safe Harbor Statement: This press release contains forward-looking statements
based on current expectations or beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions
about future events. These statements and all other statements that are not
historical facts are subject to factors and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-
looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance and are
subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are
outside the control of LINX and Micronas.
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WKN: 910 354 ; ISIN: CH0012337421; Index: TecDAX, NEMAX 50
Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin-
Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart; Zürich
140730 Mai 04
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