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GoGoGeek
Didn't they get $1.4B from Intel for their wireless biz end of 2010? They should ...
peter.clarke
London Calling: Infineon prepares to hibernate
Peter Clarke
11/16/2012 12:46 PM EST
Fiscal engineering
I am told Ploss is one of the good guys. He has an engineering background and joined Siemens in 1986 as a process engineer for ion implantation. He spent many years in power semiconductors and led the automotive business unit from 2000, taking a seat on the Infineon management board in 2007.
But I think there may be a touch of the new broom here – or rather the new teacher. During their training teachers are often told to draw the line on the slightly harsh side of fair with a new class. Once you have gained the students' respect you can start to grant a little more freedom to individuals who you know won't abuse it. It is much harder to move in the other direction.
It feels like Reinhard is drawing the austerity line on the harsh-side of necessary.
Engineers have a number of attributes. They can be incredibly focused and disciplined, understanding that the laws of physics are immutable. They can also be visionary and find elegant solutions to seemingly impossible problems.
It is to be hoped that as well bringing the discipline of worst-case engineering to his fiscal management style Ploss will be also bring creativity and lateral thinking, and an understanding that investments and progress made during hard times – when done right – produce increased profits in the good times.
The risk is that if Ploss is too austere, and puts Infineon to sleep for too long, the company will wake up to find the honey has all been grabbed by agile, optimistic young cubs from Asia and North America.
Related links and articles:
www.infineon.com
News articles:
Infineon cuts workers' hours ahead of downturn
Electronica: Smart grid will save us, say CEOs
Electronica: NXP's CEO sees tough year ahead
I am told Ploss is one of the good guys. He has an engineering background and joined Siemens in 1986 as a process engineer for ion implantation. He spent many years in power semiconductors and led the automotive business unit from 2000, taking a seat on the Infineon management board in 2007.
But I think there may be a touch of the new broom here – or rather the new teacher. During their training teachers are often told to draw the line on the slightly harsh side of fair with a new class. Once you have gained the students' respect you can start to grant a little more freedom to individuals who you know won't abuse it. It is much harder to move in the other direction.
It feels like Reinhard is drawing the austerity line on the harsh-side of necessary.
Engineers have a number of attributes. They can be incredibly focused and disciplined, understanding that the laws of physics are immutable. They can also be visionary and find elegant solutions to seemingly impossible problems.
It is to be hoped that as well bringing the discipline of worst-case engineering to his fiscal management style Ploss will be also bring creativity and lateral thinking, and an understanding that investments and progress made during hard times – when done right – produce increased profits in the good times.
The risk is that if Ploss is too austere, and puts Infineon to sleep for too long, the company will wake up to find the honey has all been grabbed by agile, optimistic young cubs from Asia and North America.
Related links and articles:
www.infineon.com
News articles:
Infineon cuts workers' hours ahead of downturn
Electronica: Smart grid will save us, say CEOs
Electronica: NXP's CEO sees tough year ahead
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Roger
11/16/2012 1:39 PM EST
Peter,
Sorry, do you really think that is possible to put a company to sleep ?
Rogerio
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peter.clarke
11/16/2012 3:18 PM EST
@Roger
Sleep is a low-energy state compared to dynamic activity when awake.
There is still a lot of brain activity, breathing, processing of food and information going on. But things slow down; tired muscles rest and repair.
In that sense it feels like Infineon, which made a good profit in FY12, is a strong company but has decided to slow things down and at least take things easy through a difficult winter.
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GoGoGeek
11/16/2012 7:04 PM EST
Didn't they get $1.4B from Intel for their wireless biz end of 2010? They should have enough cash for dry times. Looks like Kulim 2 is also pushed out, right?
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