12-10-2004 Osram's Dr. Wolf-Dieter Bopst is 65

Dr. Bopst has been the driving force behind the internationalisation of Osram. The proportion of total sales now achieved outside Germany is as high as 88%. Today, Osram supplies customers in around 140 countries and manufactures in 54 factories in 18 countries. Dr. Bopst's name is synonymous with the innovative strength of the company. About 40% of sales comes from innovative products.

One of the highlights in his career was the opening of the world's most advanced opto-chip factory in Regensburg in April 2003. The 'foundation stone' for the factory had been laid by Dr. Bopst at the start of 1999 with the establishment of a joint venture for opto-electronic semiconductors with Infineon Technologies AG. Today, Osram Opto Semiconductors is a fully owned subsidiary.

Another milestone was the acquisition in 1993 of the North American activities of Sylvania. Over the past few years, Dr. Bopst has also been strengthening Osram's presence in the growth markets of Eastern Europe and Asia.

Dr. Bopst has been awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Bavarian Order of Merit and is a Knight of the French Legion d'Honneur.

Osram Ltd.,
Osram House
Waterside Drive, Langley,
Berkshire SL3 6EZ
Tel: 01744 812 221
Fax: 01744 831 900
Web: www.osram.co.uk