Philips celebrates opening of Hermitage Amsterdam

* Sponsorship underlines Philips’ continued commitment to the art and improving accessibility to art treasures
* Museum Hermitage Amsterdam is a symbol of Philips’ 111-year historical affiliation with Russia

Amsterdam, The Netherlands - The Hermitage museum Amsterdam, of which Philips is one of the main sponsors, will officially open the doors of its new wing to the public on June 20. The new wing will enable the museum to showcase an even greater selection of art collections to visitors. The sponsorship marks a further step in Philips’ commitment to supporting the arts, promoting cultural awareness and improving accessibility of national and international art treasures for local communities.

The Hermitage Amsterdam was founded to bring the richness and grandeur of the artistic heritage of the Russian State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg to one of the West’s most charming capitals. The sponsorship also has great symbolic significance for Philips, given the company’s long-standing heritage in Russia and historical affiliation to the Russian Hermitage. Last year, Philips celebrated its 110th anniversary in Russia.

For this reason Philips is particularly proud to again be able to support the Hermitage Amsterdam’s lighting needs, including the lighting of the exterior of the building, the communal gardens and the “Hermitage for Children”. In the latter, where children are able to participate in various educational programmes, a dynamic lighting system creates optimal lighting conditions that supports their learning experience and adds to their overall feeling wellbeing.

Philips has a longstanding relationship with Russia which goes back over one hundred and ten years. In 1898, Anton Philips, one of the two Philips brothers who founded the company, went to St. Petersburg and sold fifty thousand light-bulbs to illuminate the entire Winter Palace. At the time the palace was the major residence of the Russian Emperors and was later converted into the main building of the magnificent Hermitage Museum. The Winter Palace in St. Petersburg was one of Anton Philips’ first foreign business destinations and also the first example of how Philips uses Lighting to add to the beauty of wonderful buildings and monuments throughout the world with great lighting. Today Philips sells 150,000 light bulbs every 6 hours in Russia.

Earlier this year in March, Philips and the State Hermitage in Russia signed an agreement under which Philips would provide two major sites of the Hermitage with innovative energy efficient lighting solutions. The new lighting technology will reduce energy costs by 55%, thereby freeing up money so that the Museum will be able to reinvest into maintenance of the collection, supporting the arts and protecting its rich cultural heritage. At the same time, Philips’ energy efficient lamps and LED solutions will provide an unparalleled opportunity to showcase the museums’ exhibitions at their best.

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 26 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.