Option Buys Former BenQ Mobile Research Center
Option, a company which predominatly manufactures PC Cards has purchased a German R&D center which had belonged to BenQ Mobile - ex Siemens, and will also retain the existing R&D staff.
Located in Kamp-Lintfort near Düsseldorf, Germany, the team of 50 engineers adds more than 750 man-years of wireless experience and expertise to Option's global engineering capability.
Reporting to, and collaborating closely with Option's HQ engineering group in Leuven, the multi-disciplinary Kamp-Lintfort team, will focus on the development of embedded broadband cellular connectivity solutions for mobile internet devices ? a new category of devices that is emerging between the PDA and laptop PC product categories that we know today.
Existing engineering resources at Option's Leuven HQ will concentrate on extending the company's position in wireless data cards, USB devices, modules for laptops and wireless routers.
"With skilled engineers in short supply, this opportunity to acquire an established, highly skilled engineering team and fully-equipped facility was too good to miss." said Jan Callewaert, Option?s CEO. "Our new team in Germany is ready to make an immediate impact on our drive into mobile internet devices and other new product lines for 2008."
Acquisition of the facilities in Kamp-Lintfort, including fully equipped laboratories, an advanced Electro-Magnetic Compatibility test chamber and office space, will require a one-off investment of €4 million. Total impact on operating expenses for 2007, mainly related to R&D, will be €3 million."
Posted to the site on 7th June 2007
