Reuters: Philips, Osram lighting Bidders to Line up this Month

Companies interested in lighting assets will be able to bid for top European brands Philips and Osram in two separate auctions starting this month, according to industry sources on Friday.

The divestments will allow Philips and Osram to focus on their core businesses and draw a line under businesses they view as having a low growth potential and shrinking margins.

Potential strategic buyers, mainly from China, hope the brand names and distribution networks will help sell their own products globally, while private equity players may restructure the businesses and sell them later.