Philips Lighting - Backgrounder

Headquarters: Eindhoven, The Netherlands
President & CEO: Theo van Deursen
Number of employees: approx. 47,800
Sales in 2006: EUR 5.5 billion
Principal markets: Europe, North and South America and Asia Pacific

Philips is no. 1 in the global lighting market, with recognized expertise in the development, manufacturing and application of innovative lighting solutions. Philips Lighting pioneered many of the key breakthroughs in lighting technology, creating a solid basis for both its present activities and future aspirations. Through its expertise and in-depth understanding of the customer and the end-user, the division is an innovator in lighting and a shaper of the lighting industry landscape, with the aim to contribute to the sustainability of society at large. As stated in its mission, Philips Lighting understands people and improves their lives with lighting.

Lighting consists of the following businesses:

• Lamps
• Luminaires
• Lighting Electronics
• Automotive Lighting
• Special Lighting Applications
• Solid-State Lighting Modules
• Lumileds

The division innovates and markets a full range of products, with focus on energy efficient lighting solutions and solid state lighting. Philips took the initiative to create awareness of the tremendous cost, energy and CO2 savings that could be made by simply switching from old, energy inefficient technology to new, energy efficient solutions. Philips’ energy efficient solutions cover all market segments, including office, street, home and retail. Solid-state lighting, representing a new paradigm shift in the lighting industry, is another key area where Philips is taking the lead, covering the entire value chain in terms of product portfolio and technology.

Philips Lighting’s products are found everywhere, throughout the home and in professional applications, for example, in 30 percent of offices, 65 percent of the world's top airports, 30 percent of hospitals, 35 percent of cars and 55 percent of major football stadiums.

The division has manufacturing facilities in 25 countries, and sales organizations in more than 60. Commercial activities in other countries are handled via dealers working with the division’s international sales organization.