Philips

Philips Semiconductors was the semiconductor division of the Dutch electronics group Koninklijke Philips N.V..
Philips built up its semiconductor expertise over decades, partly through its own developments and acquisitions such as Signetics in the 1970s. 
Philips originally manufactured vacuum tubes and began producing transistors in the 1950s, for example in Hamburg. active in the north. 
From the 1960s/70s onwards, Philips expanded significantly in semiconductor technologies (transistors, integrated circuits, memory, etc.).& nbsp;
At its peak, Philips Semiconductors comprised a global network of factories, design and development centres with tens of thousands of employees. 
A decisive step was taken in 2006 when Philips sold 80.1% of its semiconductor division to a consortium of financial investors. The unit was spun off and renamed "NXP Semiconductors" ("Next Experience"). 
Philips initially retained a minority stake (19.9%).
The new name "NXP" stood for a strategic realignment and international competitiveness.
NXP quickly established itself as one of Europe's largest semiconductor manufacturers and was among the top 10 worldwide.
After the rebranding, NXP continued to develop as a global semiconductor manufacturer with a focus on:
Automotive semiconductors (e.g. control units, sensors, networking) Identification technologies (NFC, security chips for passports/bank cards) Mobile/consumer electronics chips and network technology System solutions and microcontrollers.
In addition, later business units emerged within NXP from the original Philips structure, e.g. the discrete semiconductor element segment, which later became independent as Nexperia and now belongs to a Chinese group.& nbsp;
The Philips legacy includes a number of technologically significant contributions:
I²C bus (a globally used communication interface) – developed by Philips Semiconductors. 
GreenChip technology – energy-saving power management ICs for adapters and power supplies.
NXP subsequently launched further "first" products in various segments, such as NFC controllers and automotive Ethernet transceivers. 

Today, Royal Philips is no longer a major semiconductor manufacturer as a group.
Philips has historically sold off large parts of its electronics and chip businesses: NXP, Nexperia and other small units (e.g. Xiver – MEMS manufacturing – was sold in 2025).
The focus today is on health technology (e.g. medical technology), no longer on traditional semiconductor production.