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Appeared on: Friday, August 4, 2006
Philips Sells Majority Stake in Semiconductors Business

Royal Philips Electronics announced today that the company has signed an agreement with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), Silver Lake Partners and AlpInvest Partners NV through which the consortium will acquire an 80.1% stake in Philips' Semiconductors business.

Philips will retain a 19.9% stake in this business.

The transaction will put the enterprise value for Philips' Semiconductors business at approximately EUR 8.3 billion - consisting of EUR 3.4 billion purchasing price, EUR 4.0 billion for debt and other liabilities, and EUR 0.9 billion for Philips' remaining stake. Philips estimates it will receive cash proceeds after tax and transaction related costs of approximately EUR 6.4 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006, subject to closing conditions, including governmental and regulatory approvals.

Philips' Semiconductors is a leading supplier of silicon system solutions for mobile communications, consumer electronics, digital displays, contactless payment and connectivity, and in-car entertainment and networking, with approximately 37,000 employees worldwide. The business had sales in 2005 of EUR 4.6 billion.

Commenting on today's announcement, Mr. Gerard Kleisterlee, President and CEO of Royal Philips Electronics, said: "This is a defining moment for both Philips and its semiconductors business. As a stand-alone company, the semiconductors business will have every opportunity to realize its full potential and we are very pleased to have found strong partners that share our belief. As a business partner, we will remain strongly committed to the future success of the business. As Philips, we are completing our shift away from running cyclical activities, and can fully focus on building an even stronger company in Healthcare and Lifestyle around the brand promise of Sense and Simplicity."

Kleisterlee explained that Philips was now a much simpler company, committed to improving the quality of peoples? lives through meaningful innovation. He said resources would be focused on capturing value from some of the most important global economic, social and demographic trends. Notable among these were the trend for better healthcare and more well-being, the need to provide energy efficient solutions (e.g. in lighting) and the desire for rewarding consumer lifestyle experiences.

Upon completion of the transaction, Mr. Frans van Houten will relinquish his current positions as member of the Board of Royal Philips Electronics and CEO of Philips' Semiconductors business to become the President and CEO of the new stand-alone semiconductors company. The renaming of the new company will be announced in due course.

Commenting on today's announcement, Mr. van Houten said: "Today's agreement with KKR, Silver Lake and AlpInvest represents an exciting foundation upon which our new semiconductors company can successfully grow and compete as a stand-alone company. The business, with its strong R&D capabilities and broad intellectual property portfolio, will continue to focus on strengthening its performance and presence in Mobile & Personal, Home, Automotive & Identification and Multi Market Semiconductors - our four key markets. We remain entirely committed to completing our successful business renewal program."

The consortium consists of KKR, one of the world's most experienced private equity firms, Silver Lake, the leading private equity firm focused on technology and AlpInvest, a major Dutch-based private equity investor operating worldwide.


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