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Sigma and Sony Mobile in significant deal: 200 connectivity experts will drive offensive Sigma initiative(Cision (English) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sigma, founded by Swedish entrepreneur Dan Olofsson, will take over Sony Mobile’s development unit for mobile hardware and connectivity in Lund. The new company will be named Sigma Connectivity AB and have 200 connectivity experts to spread high-tech advances within the “Internet of things”. Sony Mobile’s unique competence in leading production technology will complement the Sigma platform to enable new customer opportunities and businesses within the wider connectivity area. Sigma will own 80 percent of the new company and Sony Mobile’s former CEO and Chairman, Bert Nordberg, 20 percent. Nordberg will also become the Chairman of the company. The CEO will be Fredrik Hedlund. Internet of Things – growing business opportunity The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, IVA, uses the terms “Internet of things” and “Machine to machine communication” to describe connectivity, which means that more and more machines are being linked up to the Internet. This in turn provides opportunities to develop new services and business models, ranging from functionality to service and maintenance of products and services. IVA sees connectivity as an important factor for Swedish industry’s future competitiveness and capacity to innovate, and Ericsson predicts there will be 50 billion such units globally in 2020. A partner that can develop the business As part of the global transformation of Sony Mobile to improve its operations, the company formed a Lund-based consultancy unit within the company last November. While the company has for some time been looking for external partnerships in order to provide services to broad external customers, the solution for Sony Mobile’s world-leading unit in Lund for development of mobile hardware was Sigma Connectivity AB. Through the acquisition, Swedish industry can be provided with this future technology and thereby strengthen its competitiveness and capacity to innovate. Strengthens Sigma’s offering The staff of Sigma Connectivity has leading-edge expertise in mobile development. Their achievements in recent years include the development of the complete series of Sony’s most advanced models in the Xperia smartphone range. However, the ambitions of the new company are broader than that: “The aim, within two years, is to establish Sigma Connectivity as an important player within connectivity,” says Sigma’s founder Dan Olofsson. “It relates to building in and using this technology in everything from traditional industry products such as cars and machines to household electronics and communication equipment.” “Sigma Connectivity strengthens Sigma’s offering to our customers. Our challenge now is to develop this technology-leading unit from working internally within Sony to become an independent consulting company that carries out projects for a broad customer base in Sweden and abroad.” Bert Nordberg: This is also important for the region “I know this operation well from my time as Chairman of the board of Sony Mobile,” states Bert Nordberg, “and I have great respect for the leading-edge expertise within the unit. We have worked towards finding a solution that strengthens the region and that means this leading business can remain here and be further developed to benefit Sweden’s capacity to innovate. It is therefore very pleasing that Dan Olofsson and Sigma, with its sound consulting expertise, will take on a long-term ownership role for the business. For my part, I will as Chairman work towards getting international major companies to place their development assignments with Sigma Connectivity.” Sony Mobile: A good match providing a strong platform for growth and development “The transfer of Consultant Business Unit assets was a strategic move as we continue to focus on our core competency of software development here at our Lund centre”, says Bengt-Arne Molin, Senior Vice President & Manager of Sony Mobile’s Lund site. “The expertise and experience within this unit are a good match with the competence and know-how of Sigma, providing a strong platform for future growth and development of connectivity competence within the Lund region.” Incoming CEO Fredrik Hedlund: An exciting challenge “I have been involved in the business since the start,” says Fredrik Hedlund. “To now focus on an external customer base will be an exciting challenge. I look forward to a dialogue with companies that see a potential in connectivity, where we can develop solutions together that advance their positions.” For more information, please contact · Dan Olofsson, owner of Sigma, tel: +46 (0)703-79 22 54 · Bert Nordberg, former CEO Sony Mobile, Chairman and joint owner of Sigma Connectivity AB, tel: +46 (0)703-79 22 54 · Fredrik Hedlund, CEO Sigma Connectivity AB, tel: +46 (0)702-59 75 84 About Sigma Sigma is a long-term business partner wherever information technology makes a difference. We are a global player with a Nordic base. We deliver the smartest solutions to support our customers’ business aims. Sigma is owned by Danir AB and has about 1400 employees in eight countries. www.sigma.se This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.comhttp://news.cision.com/sigma/r/sigma-and-sony-mobile-in-significant-deal--200-connectivity-experts-will-drive-offensive-sigma-initi,c9418519The following files are available for download:http://mb.cision.com/Main/42/9418519/125584.pdf (c) 2013 Cision. All Rights Reserved. |