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Philips transfers TV business to a joint venture with TPV Technology, TPV takes the controlling stake

It took almost exactly a year, but Philips is finally free of its pesky, money-losing TV problem. As planned, the company transferred its television business into a joint venture with Hong Kong-based TPV Technology called TP Vision -- an arrangement that endows TPV with a controlling 70 percent stake. (Philips will still receive royalties on top of whatever it earns through this venture, and plans to sell Philips-branded sets in the US through a separate partnership with Funai.) Though the deal was first detailed a year ago, Philips only announced today that the transaction had closed. Now that it has, the newly formed company will produce Philips-branded TVs in a bid to make it one of the "top three players," according to TP Vision chief Maarten de Vries. As you'd expect, all of the 3,300 employees that previously fell under Philips' television division will now be in the employ of TP Vision, and Philips' various manufacturing sites have been transferred over too. All of that and a healthy dose of rah-rah in the full PR below.

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Philips and TPV announce start of Television joint venture named TP Vision
- Joint venture to leverage the strengths of Philips and TPV in global Television market
- Ensures the future of the Philips brand in Television

Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE:PHG, AEX:PHI) today announced that the transaction to create a Television joint venture with TPV Technology Limited (0903.HK) has been completed. The joint venture will be called TP Vision and will be 70% owned by TPV and 30% by Philips. TP Vision will develop, manufacture and market Philips branded TV sets.

The completion of the agreement comes after the necessary merger clearance, governmental and TPV shareholder approvals were obtained. TP Vision, with headquarters in Amsterdam, will be led by Mr. Maarten de Vries. TP Vision will combine the design expertise and innovative Philips TV heritage with the manufacturing scale, and operational excellence, of TPV.

"TP Vision will be a strong player in the global TV market and will ensure the continuity of the Philips TV brand in the markets," said Philips Chief Executive Officer Frans van Houten. "TP Vision will leverage the strength of the Philips brand, innovation power and trade relationships, with the additional scale and manufacturing strengths of TPV. The TV partnership with TPV enables Philips to focus on expanding market leadership positions across our Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting sectors."

"We are glad to have Philips as a partner in this Television joint venture," said TPV Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jason Hsuan. "This partnership will enhance Philips' brand position in the TV space and bring sustainable returns to both shareholders. Philips and TPV have been partners for many years and we are confident that together we can become a major player in Television globally."

"TP Vision is here to stay and grow profitably,'' said TP Vision Chief Executive Officer Maarten de Vries. "TP Vision will continue to bring the high level of innovation consumers expect from a Philips TV. Our recently launched 2012 series have everything to enjoy the world of digital content delivered via broadcasting and the Web. We believe in creating products that touch the human senses and are within reach of all consumers in the markets we operate in."

TP Vision will be responsible for the design, manufacturing, distribution, marketing and sales of Philips' Television worldwide, with the exception of mainland China, India, United States, Canada, Mexico and certain countries in South America. As part of the transaction, the Philips Television innovation and manufacturing sites, commercial organizations, headquarters and employee base of close to 3,300 will transfer to TP Vision.

The key terms and conditions of the transaction are in line with the announcement made on November 1, 2011.

Philips Television has operated as a standalone business within Philips Consumer Lifestyle since January 1, 2012.