Philips lights The Hermitage

12 Mar 2009

Saint-Petersburg, Russia, 12 March 2009 – Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) and the State Hermitage signed an agreement today, under which Philips will provide two major sites of the Hermitage with innovative energy efficient lighting solutions. The joint project by the Hermitage and Philips – a global leader of innovative lighting technology – will be living proof of how modern energy-saving technologies can be embedded into a historical site to update its look and reduce energy costs by 55% while providing an unparalleled opportunity to showcase the exhibits at their best.

Through freeing up money with energy efficient lighting, the Museum will be able to reinvest into maintenance of the collection, supporting the arts and protecting its rich cultural heritage. The energy-saving lighting solutions will be mounted on two of the Hermitage’s museum sites – the Menshikov Palace and the Carriage Yard. In line with the outcomes of the energy-audit undertaken by the Hermitage, Philips has been mandated to replace the current lamps in the Menshikov Palace with Philips energy-efficient lamps, and will install LED technology in the Carriage Yard. The lighting renovation project on both sites is expected to be finished by the end of this year.

First cooperation between the Hermitage and Philips dates back to 1898. More than a century ago, Philips supplied 50,000 carbon-filament bulbs that lit up the entire Winter Palace. The palace was the major residence of Russian Emperors’ at that time. That particular contract in Russia marked Philips first business endeavor outside of its home market The Netherlands. "For Philips, this is yet another opportunity to help support Russia in saving its great cultural legacy," said Joost Leeflang, CEO of Philips in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Central Asia. "In the Netherlands we have always had a special connection to the Hermitage, as the museum was founded in 1764 when Empress Catherine the Great purchased a collection of Flemish and Dutch paintings." he added.

Philips is also one of the two main sponsors of the Hermitage Museum in Amsterdam. Philips partnership with the Amsterdam brand of Russia’s renowned state Hermitage museum supports the museum’s journey to integrate into the global cultural space providing a world-class source of art that is not available in Western Europe.

For further information, please contact:
Ruslan Nozdryakov
Philips Russia
Tel.: +7 (495) 937-93-76< br/> Email: ruslan.nozdryakov@philips.com

Santa van der Laarse
Philips Corporate Communications
Tel.: +31 20 5977209
Email: santa.van.der.laarse@philips.com