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Philips transfers ownership of optical pick-up unit to Arima Devices


WEBWIRE

Monday, January 09, 2006, Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Taipei, Taiwan - Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) and Arima Devices, an affiliated company of Arima Computer Corp. (TSE: Arima-2381) announced today they signed a share purchase agreement to transfer Philips’ optical pick-up (OPU) business unit to Arima Devices. Philips will take an approximate 14% share in Arima Devices at the completion of the deal. The OPU business unit produces optical pick up units for DVD recorders and PC DVD drives and is part of Philips Optical Storage. No financial details were disclosed.

The market for optical pick-up units for DVD recorders and PC DVD drives is maturing and economies of scale are needed to remain competitive. Through the transfer to Arima Devices, the OPU business unit will benefit from economies of scale. Arima Devices will benefit from acquired Philips’ technology and expertise in DVD recording and Blu-ray Disc, which includes all patents generated by the OPU business unit.

The OPU business unit employs approximately 740 people in Asia and 40 people in Europe. These employees will be transferred to Arima Devices upon completion of the deal, which is expected to close in Q1 2006.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world’s biggest electronics companies and Europe’s largest, with sales of EUR 30.3 billion in 2004. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 161,100 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter

Forward-looking statements

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Philips and certain of the plans and objectives of Philips with respect to these items. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.



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