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P H I L I P S
“Having soundly established ourselves in Tunisia is an important step in our plans for
considerable development in North Africa.”
Kick Stam, President and CEO of PHILIPS’ Lighting Branch
ROYAL PHILIPS ELECTRONICS of the Netherlands is one of the world’s biggest electronic material
companies, the biggest in Europe. With 29 billion euros in 2003 sales, it is a world leader in televisions,
lighting, electrical razors, medical imagery and medical monitoring equipment. It employs 164,500
people in more than 60 countries.
On 21 February 2000, PHILIPS announced its takeover of 100% of the Tunisian Lighting Company (STE),
in which it had previously held a minority share.
Since 1980, STE has manufactured (under license from Mazda) products for local and foreign markets:
public, industrial, interior and residential lighting. It employs 100 people and generates 5.5 million euros
in turnover. 80% of production is sold in Tunisia and 20% abroad. Its Tunis plant is made up of 3,500 m 2
of workshops for manufacture of products, from shaping of sheet metal to vacuum metallization. 36% of
production concerns outside lighting, 24% involves internal lighting, and 60% deals with studies and
implementation of global projects (stadiums, airport, and other large scale public facilities).
In buying out STE, a leader on the Tunisian lighting market, this number one world manufacturer of
electrical equipment took the strategic step of developing activity on Maghreb markets.
Acquisition of 100% control of STE was achieved amicably with former shareholders and the fact that the
management team was kept on inspired confidence in development prospects for both national and
Maghreb markets. Another positive point was the ability of Tunisian managers and staff to develop
activity in line with top European standards.
This confidence was well placed. Certified ISO 9002 in 2000, the company achieved ISO 14001
certification in 2001 and then ISO 9001 V2000.
Within the group, PHILIPS Tunisian Lighting Company is recognized as the sole Industrial Center in the
Maghreb.