Investor Cees Meeuwis is determined to make Philips’ MEMS business a commercial success. As an independent foundry, he expects Xiver to substantially expand its customer base.
Cees Meeuwis, with his investment company Orange Mills, is in the process of acquiring the MEMS foundry from the Philips MEMS & Micro Devices group. As of early 2025, foundry operations will continue under the name Xiver. Meeuwis says he wants to invest in new equipment and expects to make Xiver profitable soon, “with 2025 being a transition year.” Although all parties had agreed to a radio silence – negotiations with unions are ongoing – the plans leaked at the end of September. This has prompted Meeuwis to accept the invitation from Bits&Chips to provide clarification where possible.
Customers have already responded enthusiastically to the plans for an independent MEMS fab, according to Meeuwis. “Xiver will soon be the only independent European MEMS foundry that’s not Chinese-owned,” he articulates one of the strategic advantages. “Many of Philips’ competitors are also interested in our technology. They’re over the moon now we’re becoming an independent organization.”
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