, Columnist
Philips Sees the Light
LED exit is right move by Dutch company, despite China setback
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For years making light bulbs was an oligopolistic business that generated lots of cash for Philips and Siemens. These days, neither company seems to want much to do with lighting.
Siemens partially exited the business in 2013 with the IPO of its Osram lighting unit, although it retains a 17 percent stake and a seat on its supervisory board. Philips is preparing to sell or IPO its "lighting solutions" unit this year, and is disposing of its LED components unit separately.