Press information

OSRAM expands its presence in China:

Osram and Prosperity acquire block of shares in Felco

Osram, one of the two largest lighting manufacturers in the world, together with Prosperity Lamps & Components Co., Hong Kong (Prosperity), has acquired 13.47 percent of the shares in Foshan Electrical & Lighting Co., Ltd, (Felco) from the city of Foshan.

The contract was signed on August 31, 2004; the transaction will be subject to approval by the Chinese authorities. The investment was made via OSRAM Prosperity Holding Co., Ltd, a joint venture between Osram and Prosperity.

Felco, which has been quoted on the Shenzhen stock exchange since November 1993, is the largest local lamp manufacturer in China. In the past fiscal year (to 31.12.2003), Felco recorded sales of 103 million euros. "The acquisition of a minority shareholding in Felco is a further step in strengthening our presence on the Asian market", said Dr. Wolf-Dieter Bopst, President and CEO of Osram.

Osram has invested in China and Hong Kong since 1995 and already has majority shareholdings in three joint ventures. In the past fiscal year (to 30.09.2003), the production and sales companies generated sales worldwide of around 200 million euros. About 5000 of the 35,000 Osram employees throughout the world work in China.


Company profile
Osram is one of the two largest lighting manufacturers in the world. Sales for the Osram group of companies worldwide in the year ending September 30, 2003 totalled 4.2 billion euros, 88 percent of which came from outside Germany. Osram has developed from a classic light bulb manufacturer into a high-tech company in the lighting industry. Around 40 percent of sales comes from innovative products. This global player employs more than 35,000 people worldwide, supplies customers in some 140 countries and has 54 production facilities in 18 countries.

Press contact:

OSRAM

Reglindis Pfeiffer
Tel: +49-89-6213-2305
Fax: +49-89-6213-3457
Email: reglindis.pfeiffer@osram.de