Ad-hoc | 31 March 2005 08:37

DEWB AG:DEWB sells its stake in OASIS SiliconSystems Holding AG to SMSC

Ad hoc announcement §15 WpHG DEWB Exit OASIS DEWB AG:DEWB sells its stake in OASIS SiliconSystems Holding AG to SMSC Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— DEWB sells its stake in OASIS SiliconSystems Holding AG to US semi-conductor company SMSC Jena, 31 March 2005. DEWB AG (Deutsche Effecten- und Wechsel-Beteiligungs- gesellschaft AG, ISIN DE0008041005) has sold its 17.5 percent stake in OASIS SiliconSystems Holding AG (OASIS), Karlsruhe, to Standard Microsystems Corpora-tion, based in Hauppauge, NY, USA and listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the ticker SMSC. As a result of this transaction, SMSC has acquired all interests in OASIS. This exit generated a turnover of approx. USD 30 million for DEWB, obtained in the form of 86 percent cash and 14 percent SMSC-shares (equivalent to approx. 243,000 SMSC shares) at the end of the first quarter of 2005. OASIS is a leader in the development and marketing of integrated circuits that enable networking of multimedia devices for automotive infotainment applications. OASIS provides Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) technology, which enables the transport of digital audio, video, and packet- based data, along with control information, within automobiles. OASIS’s infotainment networking technology has been widely adopted by many European car brands, including Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volvo. Its current core customers include almost all well-known automotive manufacturers and suppliers in Europe and, increasingly, in Japan. The MOST technology platform, established by OASIS in collaboration with DaimlerChrysler, BMW and Harman Becker, and currently used as a basis by 16 automotive manufacturers as well as over 60 suppliers, is increasingly being adopted as a standard for infotainment networking. Headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, and supported by an IC engineering team in Austin, Texas, OASIS is one of the largest privately held fabless semiconductor companies in Europe. DEWB had an interest in OASIS since the end of 2000, actively supporting the company in its development. During this period, OASIS increased its sales to approximately USD 50 million. Like OASIS, SMSC also pursues a fabless business model and is a provider of analog, digital and mixed-signal solutions for growth markets including mobile and desktop PCs, servers, consumer electronics and industrial applications. SMSC is a key supplier to a diverse set of customers, including almost all of the leading US and Asian PC manufacturers and a growing list of consumer electronics designers. This acquisition allows SMSC to achieve a greater balance among its application-focused businesses. The natural fit not only enhances growth opportunities with automotive infotainment customers in Europe and Asia, but also brings strong systems design capabilities that SMSC can leverage in the consumer electronics and industrial markets. Sabine Ahlers, Member of the Board of Management of DEWB AG and deputy chair- person of the supervisory board of OASIS, underlines the importance of this transaction for DEWB: “The OASIS exit is the largest transaction undertaken by DEWB for more than two years. At the same time, it is proof of the international exit compe-tence of our company. Although we are consciously targeting our investment focus on the German-speaking market, this transaction also showcases our competence on the international stage.” Contact: Dr. Stefan Stenzel DEWB AG Phone: ++49 – 3641 – 65 21 67 Fax: ++49 – 3641 – 65 21 57 E-Mail: stefan.stenzel@dewb-vc.com Company portrait of DEWB AG (http://www.dewb-vc.com; ISIN DE0008041005). DEWB is a bank-independent, quoted investment company which operates internationally. The company is based in Jena, one of the booming high-tech regions of Germany especially in the field of otpics. DEWB focuses on optic- related technologies that will be one of the most important technology drivers in the next years. As of Dec. 31st 2004 DEWB has assets of approx. 84 million euros under management and investments in 21 companies. The 15.2 million bearer shares with a calculated nominal value of one euro per share are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt as well as in the Xetra system (symbol: EFF). Deutsche Effecten- und Wechsel- Beteiligungsges. AG Carl-Zeiß-Platz 16 07743 Jena Deutschland ISIN: DE0008041005 WKN: 804100 Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen und Stuttgart End of ad hoc announcement (c)DGAP 31.03.2005 310837 Mär 05