SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Report on Form 6-K dated March 27, 2003
STMicroelectronics N.V.
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(Translation of registrant's name into English)
39, Chemin du Champ-des-Filles,
1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
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(Address of principal executive offices)
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file
annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F]
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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[Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):]
Yes No X
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[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934]
Yes No X
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[If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-______]
Enclosures:
A press release dated March 26, 2003 announcing STMicroelectronics N.V.'s
acquisition of Proton World International, a smart card software company.
[STMicroelectronics Logo] [GRAPHICS OMITTED]
PRESS RELEASE
COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
COMUNICATO STAMPA
PRESSEINFORMATION
PR No. C1305M
STMicroelectronics Announces Acquisition in Smart Card Arena
ST increases its system know-how for smart cards with the
acquisition of e-purse pioneer and multi-application smart card
developer Proton World International
Geneva, March 25, 2003 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), the world's second
largest supplier of smart card chips, today announced the acquisition of Proton
World International (PWI), a leading smart card software company that
specializes in high-security, payment and identification smart card systems and
has developed an extensive network throughout the financial services and banking
sectors.
The acquisition will significantly increase ST's smart card system know-how,
particularly in the key banking and financial fields. The addition of this
software expertise will fully complement ST's leading-edge smart card chip
technology and is in line with the Company's highly successful and long-standing
System-on-Chip approach.
Based in Belgium, PWI has approximately 90 employees and develops smart card
system software (card OS, middleware and application software), especially for
e-purse, EMV (Europay/Mastercard/Visa) debit/credit cards, PKI (Public Key
Infrastructure) security, and data management applications. This software,
together with PWI's well-recognized capabilities in specification and
certification, is an essential ingredient in a wide range of current and
potential smart card applications and having this expertise in-house will
significantly strengthen ST's presence and offering in these markets.
"This acquisition is a response to growing customer demand, especially in
emerging markets, for comprehensive systems solutions. In addition, banking and
other financial applications have particularly challenging demands for security
and interoperability, making a systems approach increasingly necessary," said
Maurizio Felici, Group Vice-President and General Manager of ST's Smart Card
Division. "We are delighted that we are gaining world-class engineers due to
this acquisition. As a world leader and pioneer in smart card systems and
software for e-payment applications, the know- how of PWI will not only
significantly extend our ability to meet the most demanding requirements today,
but will also allow us to propose to our customers even more innovative
solutions in the future."
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"Proton World and ST already share a history of successful business
relationships, so we are confident that as a result of this acquisition, ST will
rapidly be able to offer the smart card industry many more exciting new
opportunities. Our customers will appreciate the advantages it brings to them
when their regular smart card technology supplier becomes part of a global
multi-national company: not only does it guarantee full continuation of ongoing
and planned customer projects based on the Proton technologies, but it opens
perspectives for all parties to remain at the forefront of technical
developments in the field of multi-application smart cards," said Armand
Linkens, CEO of Proton World International.
The transaction between ST and ERG Group includes a cash consideration of
(euro)37 million for the purchase of PWI, plus a business-related consideration
for up to 10 years, and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2003.
Additionally, ST and ERG Group, an Australian-based company and leader in
transit and transport applications and current owner of PWI, will enter into a
long-term business relationship through a technology license agreement and will
work together in the deployment of PWI's technology in transit applications
worldwide.
"In addition to ST's reinforced presence in the financial and banking segments
brought by the acquisition of PWI, the strong relationship we are building with
ERG Group through this transaction will provide opportunities for ST to further
develop its presence in transit smart card applications with a partner that is
well recognized in this field," added Maurizio Felici.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor
solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled
combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength,
Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the
Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products
play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares
are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan
Stock Exchange. In 2002, the Company's net revenues were $6.32 billion and net
earnings were $429.4 million. Further information on ST can be found at
www.st.com.
For further information please contact:
Media Relations Investor Relations
Maria Grazia Prestini Benoit de Leusse
Director, Corporate Media Relations Investor Relations Manager, Europe
STMicroelectronics STMicroelectronics
Tel: +41.22.929.6945 Tel: +33.4.50.40.24.30
Lorie Lichtlen / Nelly Dimey Nicole Curtin / Jean-Benoit Roquette
Financial Dynamics Financial Dynamics
Paris Tel: +33.1.47.03.68.10 Paris Tel: +33.1.47.03.68.10
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
STMicroelectronics N.V. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 27, 2003 STMicroelectronics N.V.
By: /s/ Pasquale Pistorio
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Name: Pasquale Pistorio
Title: President and Chief
Executive Officer