Philips Electronics NV yesterday confirmed what our readers knew some time ago, (CI Nos 3,324, 3,335), that former Tandem Computers Inc CEO Roel Pieper is heading home to Holland to be Philips’ EVP technology, strategy and planning and become a director of the company, starting in May. Speculation is rife that Pieper is being groomed to replace Cor Boonstra as top dog at Philips as early as next year. The company denies these reports. Boonstra, appointed in October 1996, has sold off many unprofitable businesses, reduced some of the company’s stifling bureaucracy and managed to save Philips from serious losses, though a new strategic plan for the company promised for early 1998 won’t now be delivered until the end of the year. Pieper is expected to mastermind a drive to develop and market new consumer devices and systems for the home which will compete with the likes of Sony, Microsoft and Compaq. Philips has been re- organizing itself almost constantly for 18 months now.
