Agilent Technologies Completes Sale of its Camera Module Business to Flextronics; Agilent Continues Development, Sales of CMOS Sensors and Processors.CANNES, France -- Agilent Technologies This article needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :A) has announced it successfully completed the sale of its camera module business to Flextronics on Feb. 3, 2005. Agilent had announced Oct. 27, 2004, its intent to divest To deprive or take away. Divest is usually used in reference to the relinquishment of authority, power, property, or title. If, for example, an individual is disinherited, he or she is divested of the right to inherit money. that business. With this transaction, Agilent exits the camera-module assembly business but will continue to develop and sell market-leading image sensors An image sensor is a device that converts a visual image to an electric signal. It is used chiefly in digital cameras and other imaging devices. It is usually an array of charge-coupled devices (CCD) or CMOS sensors such as active-pixel sensors. and processors for camera modules, optical mice and a variety of new applications spanning consumer, medical and industrial markets. Agilent is a market pioneer and leader in CMOS image sensors A CMOS-based chip that records the intensities of light as variable charges similar to a CCD chip. Although initially used in less expensive digital cameras, the quality of CMOS sensors has improved steadily. CMOS sensors have advantages over CCDs. . In 1999, Agilent technology enabled the first optical mouse, which has shipped more than 350 million units and comprises 90 percent of the installed base for this ubiquitous consumer device. In the mobile phone camera-module market, Agilent has shipped more than 50 million units through leading handset OEMs. "In the past two years, Agilent's mobile imaging business has grown from scratch to become an industry-leading supplier to five of the top six handset OEMs," said Jason Hartlove, general manager of Agilent's Sensor Solutions Division. "With our shift to image sensors and processors, Agilent will continue to provide leading imaging features and functionality but will no longer design the optics and packaging or perform the assembly. In essence, Agilent is focusing on our core competency A core competency is something that a firm can do well and that meets the following three conditions specified by Hamel and Prahalad (1990):
Market research firm IDC predicts that in 2005 approximately 700 million cell phones will be sold, with almost 300 million that include cameras. The image sensor and processor is the single most important component of the camera module -- gathering, interpreting and rendering images in an extremely small package. "We see an excellent opportunity to build on Flextronics' strong position in the camera module business and to work with Agilent as a strategic image-sensor supplier going forward," said Mike Burger, senior vice president of Flextronics' Components Division. "Agilent has developed a loyal OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and customer base and we believe there is a very good opportunity for Flextronics camera modules with Agilent sensors in today's imaging technology market." About Agilent Technologies Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 28,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com. Forward-Looking Statements forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. This news release contains forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, information regarding Agilent's intentions and plans to continue in the image sensor and processor markets, expected features and functionality of our product offerings, our development efforts and the number of cell phones predicted to be sold in 2005) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results of Agilent to differ materially from management's current expectations. These include changes in the image sensor and processor markets and the timing and completion of product development as well as risks and uncertainties detailed in Agilent's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for the year ended Oct. 31, 2004. NOTE TO EDITORS: Further technology, corporate citizenship Corporate Citizenship The extent to which businesses are socially responsible in meeting legal, ethical and economic responsibilities placed on them by shareholders. The aim it to create higher standards of living and quality of life in the community in which it operates, while and executive news are available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news. |
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