BÖBLINGEN, Germany -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced the opening of the Agilent Semiconductor Solutions Center (ASSC) in Shanghai, initially aimed at delivering industry-leading solutions to the fast-growing mobile handset and consumer markets in China. Agilent also announced a new wholly owned subsidiary, Agilent Technologies Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., which has been established to develop a world-class supply chain for its manufacturing customers in China. This investment represents another Agilent move toward growing its market position and fostering its long-term presence in China.
The ASSC's goal is to develop innovative semiconductor solutions and accelerate product development for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), ODMs (original design manufacturers) and mobile handset manufacturers based in Greater China. Headed by Calvin Chen, a 15-year Agilent veteran with broad semiconductor experience, the center will initially focus on building mobile-technology R&D, engineering and service capabilities and is expected to expand its focus to also include storage, computing, networking and optoelectronics solutions. Agilent expects the center's staffing to reach approximately 100 employees by the end of 2004.
"China is a significant and growing part of Agilent's semiconductor business, and we've decided to aggressively invest in its high-growth mobile and consumer markets," said Young K. Sohn, president of Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group. "We expect our headcount in China to approach 1,000 in the next five years."
The ASSC will initially support handset customers in designing and optimizing Agilent's broad range of innovative solutions for mobile applications. These include embedded camera modules that enable camera phones with exceptional image quality, radio frequency devices that reduce handset size, infrared transceivers for transmitting data, surface mount LEDs for backlighting, and ambient light sensors that save battery life. The new center will also offer customization and development services, including reference designs and software.
"Agilent has a unique set of industry-leading products for mobile handset customers," said Calvin Chen of Agilent. "The ASSC is expected to help a wide range of Chinese companies take full advantage of these innovative solutions, as well as create the next generation of feature-rich handsets."
Alcatel SA