We have continuously provided solutions to core challenges of modern society, such as ▲efficient use of energy, ▲environmentally friendly mobility, and ▲security in a connected world, and have proven how well these efforts reflect IT trends.

This focused effort can also be seen in the 2014 sales figures. The company assessed its 2014 fiscal year as a successful one, with sales reaching 4.32 billion euros, up 12% year-on-year (with operating profit up 14.4%).

Infineon attributed the increase in sales to “anticipating increased demand from a very early stage, successful cycle management, which enabled production facilities to respond quickly and flexibly to demand and supply products on time.”

Let's take a closer look at each segment. The Automotive division, which achieved sales of €2 billion, a 15% increase year-over-year, demonstrated growth in global markets. The North American market saw a recovery, China saw continued demand growth, and Western Europe also recovered. Germany's three major premium automakers—Audi, BMW, and Mercedes—are adopting a particularly high number of semiconductors in their models, and demand for features designed to enhance safety and convenience, particularly in mid-range models, has grown.

The Industrial Power Control segment saw a marked recovery. Demand from renewable energy and rail transport increased sharply, and industrial drives also saw a slow but steady recovery. Sales grew 20% year-on-year to €783 million. The Power Management and Multimarket segment achieved sales of €1.061 billion, up 7% year-on-year. The continued growth of the smartphone and tablet computer markets and the expansion of mobile infrastructure drove rapid growth in RF (radio frequency) components and silicon microphones. The Chip Cards & Security segment achieved revenue of €494 million, up 7%, by supplying solutions for mobile, authentication, payment applications and electronic identification.

Easier, safer, and more environmentally friendly

Despite its steady growth, Infineon is not satisfied with this. Instead, it has launched a new motto: "We make life easier, safer, and greener." This motto expresses Infineon's strategy to make life easier to achieve, reduce unnecessary consumption, and provide accessible technology for everyone, focusing on three growth areas: energy efficiency, mobility, and security.

This new catchphrase, 'We make life easier, safer and greener,' emphasizes the company's strong will to not be satisfied with the present and to take a leap forward through continuous customer-centric innovation.

Infineon's innovation goes beyond a new motto. It goes beyond simply producing customized individual components to meet customer demands, embodying the idea of providing solutions that help customers differentiate themselves in their end markets. These concepts and activities are called “From Product to System”.

The concept of “From Product to System” is rooted in the importance of not only improving the semiconductor itself, but also further developing it to meet the current and future needs of the market and customers.

For example, rather than being satisfied with simple LED technology, we are applying intelligent LED headlight technology to avoid dazzling oncoming or preceding vehicles, and at the same time, infrared cameras ensure that pedestrians on the road can be more clearly identified, thereby preventing accidents and increasing safety.

Over the past several years, Infineon has developed cutting-edge technologies, high-quality products, and outstanding manufacturing facilities based on expertise accumulated over many years. Going forward, Infineon will focus not only on technological leadership but also on further expanding its understanding of customers' systems, applications, and success factors.

“By combining our understanding of systems with Infineon’s leading semiconductor technology, we will be able to better meet our customers’ needs, offer a wider range of solutions, develop products with superior functionality and deliver significant added value to them,” said Dr. Reinhard Ploss, CEO of Infineon Technologies.
/> This “From Product to System” strategy is also in line with the merger of International Rectifier (IR), acquired last year.

From product to system, the impact of IR acquisition

IR's strengths lie in energy-efficient IGBTs, IGBT driver ICs, intelligent power modules for low-power applications, power MOSFETs, and digital power management ICs. These product portfolios complement Infineon's diverse range of discrete IGBTs and modules. The acquisition of IR, a leader in GaN (gallium nitride)-based power semiconductors, further accelerates and solidifies Infineon's roadmap for GaN discrete products and GaN system solutions.

Infineon's comprehensive portfolio of power semiconductor technologies and ICs, including silicon, silicon carbide and gallium nitride, enables it to offer customers optimized solutions that meet both cost and performance requirements. On the other hand, the plan is to accelerate mass production by utilizing Infineon's 300mm thin wafer technology.

Infineon, a key supplier in the development of hybrid and electric vehicles, is also implementing its "From Product to System" strategy in the Korean automotive market.

Infineon Korea provides the best technical services through its own EV (Electric Vehicle) and FA (Failure Analysis) labs equipped with various electrical and physical analysis equipment. Expert engineers prevent electrical overload issues such as NTF/MOS/EOS/ESD errors and provide primary failure analysis to help customers quickly resolve production issues.

“We will continue Infineon’s remarkable growth with our new motto, ‘We make life easier, safer and greener,’” said Reinhard Ploss, CEO. “These activities will also enable Infineon to break away from the competition through continuous innovation and establish itself as a market leader in the long term.”