Continued divestment! OSRAM sells these two major businesses | General Motors reaches strategic supplier agreement with Wolfspeed

Skyview Capital Acquisition

Digital Lumens and Ecelium

ams OSRAM, the new owner of OSRAM, continues to divest its IoT lighting business, which once helped drive OSRAM's future growth.

It is reported that global private investment firm Skyview Capital recently announced the acquisition of the Digital Lumens and Encelium businesses from OSRAM Licht AG. Specific terms have not been disclosed.

It is understood that Boston-based Digital Lumens, acquired by OSRAM in 2017, aims to provide lighting-based data services. Digital Lumens, Inc. consists of two business units—Digital Lumens, serving the industrial sector; and Encelium, serving the commercial sector.

Digital Lumens and Encelium's advanced lighting control solutions provide leading software and hardware to improve and automate commercial and industrial facility lighting. Skyview Capital has officially established the new company Digital Lumens, Inc., and will invest in this entity to accelerate the adoption and support of these solutions.

At the time of the Acquisition, OSRAM's then Chief Technology Officer Stefan Kampmann was full of anticipation for the young company. "The Acquisition of Digital Lumens enables OSRAM to more powerfully provide future-oriented digital solutions for the facility management sector and IoT applications. By integrating software and sensors into a single platform, enterprises can gain deeper insights into their building environments and space utilization. Furthermore, the platform is compatible with lighting products manufactured by other manufacturers," he said.

Digital Lumens began with smart LED luminaires and advanced lighting controls, delivering excellent lighting and energy saving results. It has become a leader in smart lighting, advanced lighting control, smart devices, and facility insights, selling products and solutions to hundreds of blue-chip customers worldwide, including manufacturing, warehousing, food processing, and transportation. Digital Lumens' lighting and SiteWorx software solutions help customers improve workplace productivity, safety, and environmental sustainability by metering, monitoring the entire facility, and observing key areas.

Another brand, Encelium, has consistently transformed medical centers, office buildings, educational institutions, and commercial properties through advanced smart lighting control systems. Encelium X is its latest and most advanced system, offering simple installation and intuitive operation, helping customers achieve significant leaps in comfort, control, and energy efficiency.

The acquirer, Skyview Capital, LLC, is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and specializes in the acquisition and management of mission-critical companies in the technology, telecommunications, business services, niche manufacturing, and food and beverage sectors.

In March 2021, ams and OSRAM officially merged to form the ams OSRAM Group. Following the merger, the business structure of ams OSRAM consists of two major segments: Semiconductors (Semis) and Luminaires & Systems (L&S), accounting for 65% and 35% of revenue respectively. The semiconductor segment includes the original businesses of ams and OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, while the Luminaires & Systems segment covers OSRAM Automotive and Digital.

Since the acquisition received regulatory approval, ams OSRAM has been divesting its digital business. For example, it previously sold its North American Digital Systems (DS) business, including power supply operations, to lighting giant Acuity Brands. Currently, ams OSRAM still retains Fluence horticultural lighting within its Digital Innovations (DI) segment, as well as general lighting brands such as Traxon. (Source: China Light Network)

General Motors and Wolfspeed reach a strategic supplier agreement,

Adopting SiC in General Motors' future electric vehicle plans

General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Wolfspeed, Inc. (NYSE: WOLF) recently announced a strategic supplier agreement under which Wolfspeed will develop and provide SiC power device solutions for General Motors' future electric vehicle programs.

Wolfspeed SiC devices will empower General Motors to install more efficient electric vehicle powertrains, thereby expanding its rapidly evolving electric vehicle portfolio. SiC will be specifically used in the integrated power electronics contained within the Ultium Drive units of General Motors' next-generation electric vehicles.

Under the agreement, General Motors will join the Wolfspeed Assurance of Supply Program™ (WS AoSP), designed to ensure access to sustainable and scalable materials for electric vehicle manufacturing.

Shilpan Amin, Vice President of Global Purchasing and Supply Chain at General Motors, stated: "Our agreement with Wolfspeed represents another step forward in our transition to an all-electric future. EV customers expect longer driving ranges, and we believe SiC is the key material for designing the power electronics needed to meet customer demands. Collaborating with Wolfspeed will help ensure we realize our vision of an all-electric future."

Wolfspeed CEO Gregg Lowe stated: "Our agreement with General Motors further demonstrates the automotive Industry's commitment to delivering innovative electric vehicle Solutions to the market and leveraging the latest advancements in power semiconductors to enhance overall vehicle performance. This agreement ensures a long-term supply of SiC to General Motors, helping them fulfill their commitment to an all-electric future."

SiC power device solutions will be manufactured at Wolfspeed's Mohawk Valley Fab in Marcy, New York, USA. This facility is currently the world's largest SiC manufacturing plant, implementing 200mm wafer processing. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, this factory will commence operations in early 2022, significantly expanding the company's production capacity for SiC technology. Demand for SiC technology is growing rapidly in the global electric vehicle manufacturing sector and other advanced technology industries.

SiC has become an industry-standard semiconductor widely adopted in the transportation sector, providing strong support for the automotive industry's rapid transition to clean-energy vehicles. SiC enables higher system efficiency, thereby extending the driving range of electric vehicles while reducing weight and saving space. Wolfspeed's technology will power electric drivetrains ranging from 400V to 800V and even higher voltages.

It is reported that Wolfspeed leads the global adoption of silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) technologies, providing industry-leading solutions for efficient energy savings and a sustainable future. The Wolfspeed product family includes SiC materials, power switching devices, and RF devices, targeting various applications such as electric vehicles, fast charging, 5G, renewable energy and energy storage, as well as aerospace and defense. (Source: Wolfspeed)