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22nd June 2004 - TCL Communication Technology Holdings
Limited ("TCL Communication"), the intended holding
company of Huizhou TCL Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.
("TCL Mobile") and Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE:
ALA) today announced the signature of a Subscription
Agreement in connection with the establishment of a
joint venture company engaging in the research and development,
subcontracting of manufacturing, sales and distribution
of mobile handsets and peripheral devices.
Significant progress has been made since the signature
of the Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") was announced
on 26, April 2004. The signature of the Subscription
Agreement brings TCL Mobile and Alcatel closer to the
creation of the joint venture company. The Joint Venture
will be established in Hong Kong.
As contemplated under the Subscription Agreement, TCL
Communication will contribute cash of ?55 million for
an equity stake of 55% in the joint venture and Alcatel
will contribute cash and its mobile handset business
to a value of ?45 million for the remaining 45% stake.
Alcatel's mobile handset business comprises among other
things, leased real properties, fixtures and equipment,
raw materials and finished goods, accounts receivables,
certain intellectual properties owned or licensed by
Alcatel, contracts, liabilities and employees all primarily
or exclusively related to the MPD Business.
The estimated net asset value of the joint venture
company immediately after closing is expected to be
?100 million.
It is expected that closing will take place in July
or August 2004, subject to approval of shareholders
of TCL Corporation, receipt of all required governmental
approvals and execution of various shareholder and operational
agreements.
Key Attributes of the Joint Venture Company
TCL Mobile and Alcatel believe that the joint venture
company will enable them to join together their respective
strengths in the competitive mobile handset market and
potentially deliver a fast growing and profitable handset
business in the global market.
TCL Mobile and Alcatel believe that some of the main
potential benefits are:
- Diverse market coverage: TCL Mobile and Alcatel
have complementary handset sales and distribution
markets with little or no overlap. The joint venture
and TCL Mobile combined are expected to have an extensive
sales network offering coverage in China, Latin America,
Europe and the rest of the world addressing major
operators and distributors. It is further envisaged
that JVCo will benefit from ownership of all Alcatel
mobile handset patents and from licenses of other
patents - together allowing JVCo to compete effectively
in the international markets. · Strong Brand and International
Profile: Alcatel intends to grant to the joint venture
company a license to use the Alcatel brand name for
handsets sales and distribution, building on the brand's
strength in the telecommunications industry globally.
- Manufacturing and Cost Synergies: Existing relationships
between Alcatel and key suppliers are expected to
continue to benefit the joint venture. In the future,
TCL Mobile intends to enter into manufacturing agreements
with the joint venture to capture production synergies
by leveraging its low-cost production base, as well
as creating greater manufacturing and supply chain
management economies of scale as volumes increase.
- Technology upgrade and Best Practices: The joint
venture company can gain access to low-cost engineering
talent in China, while TCL Mobile can gain access
to the GSM handset technical know-how. The testing
and validation methods contributed by Alcatel to the
joint venture company are expected to enhance quality
control and in turn, increase product competitiveness.
- Combined R&D: the joint venture is expected to build
upon the strong R&D platform that currently exists
under Alcatel, with a focus on high-end products.
R&D co-operation between TCL Mobile and the joint
venture company is expected to deliver R&D cost synergies
and increase the pace of product roll-outs.
About TCL Corporation
TCL Corp is a major PRC conglomerate that designs, develops,
manufactures and markets a wide range of the electronic,
telecommunications, information technology and electrical
products. For further information on TCL Corp, please
visit www.tcl.com.
About TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited
TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited. is a
subsidiary of TCL Corporation and the intended holding
company of Huizhou TCL Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.
(TCL Mobile) after corporate restructuring. TCL Mobile
is a hi-tech company committed to the R&D, manufacturing
and sales of mobile terminal products. In 2003, TCL
Mobile reported mobile handset sales of 9.84 million
units, with RMB9.4 billion in revenue. For further information
on TCL Mobile , please visit www.tclmobile.com.cn.
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