NXP Acquires Jennic to Extend Leadership in Low Power RF Solutions for Wireless Applications
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Complementary 802.15.4 and Zigbee-Based Portfolio to Capture Broad Range of eMetering, Environment and Consumer Applications
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS--(July 26, 2010) - NXP Semiconductors today announced its acquisition of Jennic, a leading developer of low power RF solutions for wireless applications in smart energy, environment, logistics and consumer markets. The acquisition will see Jennic's state-of-the-art portfolio of 802.15.4 and Zigbee low power RF solutions integrated across a wide range of NXP's High Performance Mixed Signal products. Together, this provides NXP with a comprehensive wireless semiconductor platform for emerging technologies including eMetering, smart lighting, building automation, asset tracking and device remote controls.
Integrating complementary short-range wireless technology from Jennic will immediately expand NXP's RF product portfolio, meeting increasing market demand for low power RF solutions. NXP paid approximately $12.2 million to acquire 100% ownership of Jennic shares, plus up to $7.8 million in additional consideration over the next two years if Jennic meets certain performance targets. Approximately 50 UK-based employees will transfer to NXP. NXP's worldwide distribution channels and leading customer base will allow Jennic's short-range wireless products to become available to a broader range of global customer, increasing scale and opportunities for its low power RF range.
"Innovation in low power wireless RF technology is driving significant demand for exciting new applications and usage models across a broad range of industries," said Rick Clemmer, President and CEO, NXP Semiconductors. "The low power RF solutions for wireless applications which Jennic has developed have set a benchmark for driving down power performance. These also represent a great example of High Performance Mixed Signal technology, which together will enable us to jointly target attractive growth markets and offer a complete range of wireless semiconductor solutions."
With leading levels of low power consumption and a full suite of robust 802.15.4 technology, including software stacks for Zigbee PRO, 6LowPAN and RF4CE, Jennic's offering proves ideal for applications requiring low installation and maintenance costs with a high degree of flexibility, scalability and ability to be reconfigured. As low power RF technology increasingly replaces wired solutions for narrow-band communications, Jennic's complete range of transceivers, chips, modules and protocol stacks are designed to meet growing demand for smart grid and metering, smart lighting networks, home and building automation and consumer remote controls solutions.Â
"We strongly believe that 802.15.4 short-range wireless technology has potential to both enable a number of new applications, and replace traditional communications across a range of industries," said Alexander Everke, Executive Vice President and General Manager, High Performance Mixed Signal business unit, NXP Semiconductors. "The benefits of networking technology with low set-up and operation costs are significant, and by integrating Jennic's solutions, we are now able to offer the broadest range of long- and short-range wireless platforms to meet any customer requirement."
About NXP Semiconductors
NXP Semiconductors provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions that leverage its leading RF, Analog, Power Management, Interface, Security and Digital Processing expertise. These innovations are used in a wide range of automotive, identification, wireless infrastructure, lighting, industrial, mobile, consumer and computing applications. Headquartered in Europe, the company has approximately 28,000 employees working in more than 25 countries and posted sales of USD 3.8 billion in 2009.
Forward-looking Statements
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of NXP and certain plans and objectives of NXP 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.
