The 70,000-strong East German computer and office equipment manufacturing enterprise VEB Kombinat Robotron finds itself the most popular company in the world these days, and with computer agreements already under its belt with IBM, Siemens and Aquarius of Taiwan, it has now extended its agreements on industrial measuring systems with Philips NV to cover personal computers, advanced printers, optical storage – Robotron already has a joint venture with Reiner Pilz GmbH on audio Compact Disks consumer electronics and telecommunications. The reason Robotron is so sought is that it is the biggest and – with Videoton of Hungary – the most skilled of the Comecon computer players, and deals are seen as opening the door to the entire Comecon market.
