It is the latest step in Philips’ plans to move out of less profitable consumer electronics and into fast-growing areas like healthcare. The split will take up to 18 months to complete and the company said it should make it easier for both the new entities to raise money and invest.Right now it is not clear whether the lighting business will be sold off to investors. Philips, which invented the audio cassette and compact disc, grew into a world-leading electronics company by the 1960s but it has always been ruthless about moving out of less profitable businesses, such as audio and video, vinyl records and TVs.
Philips Chief Executive Frans Van Houten said, “I do appreciate the magnitude of the decision we are taking, but the time is right to take the next strategic step for Philips.”
