NXP allots $58.3M for mobile speaker facility in Austria

NXP Semiconductorswill invest $58.3 million in its Sound Solutions innovation and manufacturing activities in Vienna, Austria to expand the automated mass production of its unique rectangular speaker generation for mobile phones and develop more innovative products.

The company showed innovation in product development with the latest pocket sized rectangular speakers (10mm x 4.8mm x 2 mm) which are among the smallest loudspeakers worldwide for mobile phones and portable music players. In addition to the development of ever smaller mobile phoneloudspeakers, a 50 strong R&Dteam is developing innovative solutions for entertainment electronics such as mini-headphones and sound panels with hi-fi sound quality. With the development of microphones based on MEMStechnology, sound capabilities in semiconductor technology are also being extended.

"Whilst personal music players have given people a soundtrack to their lives, speakers enable the experience to be shared. With more than two billion speakers shipped for mobile devices, NXP is firmly established as the market leader in this sector," commented Marc Cetto, executive VP, NXP Mobile and personal business unit. "Currently, nearly 40 percent of mobile phones can play MP3 music and high profile music phones coming to market will increase the demand for high performing mini sound systems. The market will also be driven by traditional applications such as hands-free listening and polyphonic ring tones as well powering portable sound accessories that allow people to enjoy the quality of great music."

Headquartered in Vienna and with a subsidiary in Beijing, NXP's Sound Solutions Business Line employs over 1,000 people, of whom 450 are in Vienna.