Press and News - 07.11.2001

New u-blox representation in the US

u-blox is strengthening its presence in the American market. This manufacturer of miniature electronic subsystems for GPS systems has now founded its new representation in the US, offering better support in the American market.

"Being headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, we are now able to provide more customized services. Our goal is to be close to customers and distributors and give them excellent support. This is key to better service in such an important market" says Karsten Tietz, President of the new sales company u-blox America, Inc. responsible for this market area. At the new company headquarters Karsten Tietz is building up his customer service, marketing and sales support team.

"Being the single biggest market area, the US market is extremely important to us" says Dr. Claus Habiger, u-blox board member responsible for marketing and sales. "Our strategic goal is to be a preferred supplier to the American automotive and telecommunication industry. The establishment of u-blox America, Inc. is one key element to understanding our customer needs even better and to improving our response to market changes."

As a market leader in miniature GPS receivers, u-blox offers OEM customers a decisive competitive edge in new ventures - mature technology with a faster time-to-market. Founded in 1997, u-blox is now a leading supplier to OEM customers in the microelectronics industry. u-blox offers innovative solutions for a wide range of GPS applications (telecommunications, fleet management, car navigation, tracking systems, aeronautics, military, security). In 1998 u-blox launched the first generation of GPS receiver modules: GPS-MS1 and GPS-PS1. The offering was then extended with software additions enabling the integration of additional system functions in GPS receivers. In 2001 u-blox will launch the second generation of its GPS receiver modules: TIM. TIM is a fully self-contained low-cost GPS receiver. Due to innovative packaging technology, it can be handled as a single chip component. This concept of a macro-component GPS receiver is the ideal solution for high volume application with stringent space requirements.

About u-blox

u-blox currently employs a workforce of 38 at locations in Switzerland, Germany, Hong Kong, England and the USA. In the last fiscal year, sales totalled some CHF 17 million (sales in 1999 came to CHF 2 million and in 1998 to CHF 200,000). Edzard Reuter, former Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler-Benz, is president of the u-blox Board.

Further information