DGAP-News: Schweizer Electronic AG / Key word(s): Alliance/Strategic
Company Decision
Schweizer Electronic AG: Infineon Acquires a 9.4 Percent Stake in PCB
Manufacturer Schweizer Electronic
26.11.2014 / 09:09
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Joint press release of Infineon Technologies and Schweizer Electronic
Infineon Acquires a 9.4 Percent Stake in PCB Manufacturer Schweizer
Electronic
Munich and Schramberg, Germany - November 26, 2014 - The semiconductor
manufacturer Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) and the
printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturer Schweizer Electronic AG (FSE: SCE)
announced today that Infineon will acquire a 9.4 percent stake in
Schweizer. The relevant contracts were concluded today. Both companies
agreed on strict confidentiality on the terms.
By investing into Schweizer Infineon emphasizes its intention to jointly
develop technologies for the integration of power semiconductors into PCBs
and to tap the chip embedding market for high-power automotive and
industrial applications. Schweizer's chip embedding technology will round
out Infineon's proprietary chip embedding packaging technology BLADE(TM),
used for example for direct current supply (DC/DC conversion) that is
necessary for processors in computer and telecommunications systems.
Chip embedding yields advantages
While PCBs have chips connected to their front and backside today, chip
embedding will permit in the future that the semiconductors can be
"embedded" in the inside of the PCB. The PCB will become smaller. This will
benefit systems in vehicles, for which there is only little space available
such as the electric power steering system, active suspension or electrical
pumps. Moreover, the cooling of the chips will be improved. The heat
created by the chips is dissipated directly via the PCB. This is
particularly beneficial in applications that require high power and whose
power semiconductors needed elaborate cooling until now. These are for
example the compressors in a vehicle air-conditioning system, where
electrical power may reach up to 2 kilowatts (kW). In addition, the
automotive industry expects the 48-volt network to gain importance besides
the already present 12-volt on-board network.
Since higher electrical power can be used this way, it will be easier to
expand hybrid functionality ("eTurbo" with 5kW up to 20kW) to vehicles of
lower and medium price segments as well. This is where chip embedding can
help.
Dr. Reinhard Ploss, CEO of Infineon Technologies AG, says: "We improve the
performance and energy efficiency of vehicles and industrial applications
with system competence and the use of highly innovative technologies. Our
shareholding in Schweizer Electronic AG supports us on the road from
product thinking to system understanding. Chip embedding yields a great
added value for our customers, as their systems become more compact and
even more efficient at the same time."
Dr. Marc Schweizer, CEO of Schweizer Electronic AG, explains: "System
boundaries between PCBs and semiconductors are going to change, and this
requires new business models. We are expecting a high growth potential here
in a few years. Infineon is the technology leader for power semiconductors
and Schweizer is a leading manufacturer of high-performance printed circuit
boards in the automotive and industrial segments. Owing to their excellent
market positions and good customer relations, our two companies are a very
good fit. We have already proven this to be the case by our jointly
developed demonstrators for tailor-made customer solutions."
And in view of the long company tradition, Dr. Schweizer adds: "In the
course of its 165-year company history, Schweizer has proven time and again
that it generates sustainable business development through its flexibility
and capacity to quickly adjust to market trends. The agreement with
Infineon is one next step to contribute to shaping the future in the
electronics industry."
Infineon is technologically leading in power semiconductors and Schweizer
is leading in high-performance PCBs. As suppliers of the automotive
industry, each of the companies is the number two in the global ranking of
their product markets.
For several years already, Infineon and Schweizer have collaborated in
automotive electronics. In October 2013, for example, they presented a
jointly developed battery switch, which enables the car battery to be
safely disconnected in case of an accident or other critical situations.
About Schweizer
Schweizer Electronic AG is a global best-in-class technology company,
manufacturing premium PCBs, innovative solutions and services for
automotive, solar, industry and aviation electronics. Based on recognized
technology and consultancy competencies, Schweizer's products and systems
address key challenges in the areas of Power Electronics, Embedding and
System Cost Reduction and are characterized by energy and environmentally
friendly features. Together with its partners Elekonta Marek GmbH & Co. KG,
Meiko Electronics Co. Ltd. and WUS Printed Circuit., Ltd. the company
offers through its electronics division cost and production optimised
solutions for small, medium and large series and within this network
employs more than 20,000 people in Germany, Japan, China and Vietnam.
With about 700 employees Schweizer achieved sales of 101.2 million Euro in
Fiscal Year 2013 (ending December). The company was founded in 1849, is
managed by family members and listed at the Stuttgart and Frankfurt Stock
Exchanges (ticker symbol "SCE", "ISIN DE 000515623"). Further information
is available at www.schweizer.ag
About Infineon
Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg, Germany, offers semiconductor and
system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society:
energy efficiency, mobility, and security. In the 2013 fiscal year (ending
September 30), the company reported sales of Euro 3.84 billion with close
to 26,700 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the over-the-counter market
OTCQX International Premier (ticker symbol: IFNNY). Further information is
available at www.infineon.com
This news release is available online at www.infineon.com/press and at
www.schweizer.ag/press
Media contacts:
Schweizer Electronic AG
Christina Blake, Media & Communications
EinsteinstraÃe 10
78713 Schramberg
Phone: +49 7422 / 512-213
Fax: +49 7422 / 512-777-213
Email: communications@schweizer.ag
Infineon Technologies AG
Monika Sonntag, Media Relations
Am Campeon 1-12
D-85579 Neubiberg
Phone: +49 89 234-24497
Email: monika.sonntag@infineon.com
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26.11.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de
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Language: English
Company: Schweizer Electronic AG
EinsteinstraÃe 10
78713 Schramberg
Germany
Phone: 07422-512-301
Fax: 07422-512-397
E-mail: ir@schweizer.ag
Internet: www.schweizer.ag
ISIN: DE0005156236
WKN: 515623
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (General Standard),
Stuttgart; Freiverkehr in Berlin
End of News DGAP News-Service
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299583 26.11.2014
DGAP-News: Schweizer Electronic AG: Infineon Acquires a 9.4 Percent Stake in PCB Manufacturer Schweizer Electronic
| Source: EQS Group AG