LITEONMOBILE Strategy Update: Interview with Cor Saris

The core of LITEONMOBILE is built on Perlos’ capabilities and being part of Lite On group, complemented with Silitech and Lite-On Technology commodities and with determination expanded to answer the widening customer needs.

Focus on integrated offering

The primary target for LITEONMOBILE was to be able to provide integrated, complete offering to mobile handheld vendors. Based on the in-house commodity portfolio and 2nd tier supplier partnerships, LITEONMOBILE targets to excel in three key areas: product design services, supply chain integration and program execution management. Product Design is one of the elementary areas when offering an integrated set of services and commodities. In addition to significant investments in resources in Beijing, LITEONMOBILE took a giant leap starting close co-operation with Sasken, a well-known and reputable design house. As a part of LITEONMOBILE, Sasken will take the lead providing both hardware and software design services for LITEONMOBILE’s customers. In addition to the services, LITEONMOBILE Vertical Integration strategy also includes top class commodities. LITEONMOBILE continues to broaden the commodity portfolio and at the same time develop current commodities to the best in class in terms of innovation and cost competitiveness. - Our investments are prioritized in mechanics and decoration capabilities while at the same time we are step by step adding on electronic components like UI flex sub-assemblies and camera modules, says Cor Saris, LITEONMOBILE CEO.

Future on solid base

Key targets for this and the next couple of years relate to establishing LITEONMOBILE as the new player and creating a strong position as a vertically integrated partner to the main customers.

- Based on the new foundation that we have built, we are going to aggressively drive growth. Our target is to grow significantly above the market and industry level, Cor Saris declaims.

What are the most visible industry trends? How does LITEONMOBILE respond to them?
- For some time already we have seen the industry commoditizing and that brings profitability under pressure throughout the supply chain. Our answer to this is smart integration of commodities and supply services, says Cor Saris.

- In other industries this is usually followed by the standardization of components. This has not happened in handheld industry – at least not yet! There is a lot of diversity related to design and components and platforms.

Cor Saris believes that innovation continue a strong value driver for the future but only very few companies can meet the challenges of high diversity, mass supply capability and cost competitiveness at the same time.

Growing – and Thinking Beyond

To define the very essence of the company and also to distinguish LITEONMOBILE from the competitors, LITEONMOBILE has established new corporate cornerstones. Mission and vision statements both resonate beautifully with shorter-term targets and the strategy. Growth is the key word.

- We have an excellent view on the market and we understand our role in it. We see a lot of opportunities and we want to seize them by being the best and the most sustainable partner. Working with the best brings benefits to all parties, says Cor Saris.

LITEONMOBILE values were created in a process that engaged more than 400 employees.

- I am very happy that Thinking Beyond came up as the most valued feature and ability in our company. It is definitely needed in this fast changing industry and demanding environment.