FLAT PANEL DISPLAY VETERAN DR. MALCOLM
J. THOMPSON NAMED INTERIM CEO OF VITEX SYSTEMS
Thompson to Lead Commercialization
of Vitex's
Technology for Manufacture of Next-generation OLED Displays
Vitex Systems Inc., a key enabler in the manufacture of next-generation OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays, announced today that prominent flat panel display (FPD) industry executive, Dr. Malcolm J. Thompson, principal of MJT Associates (Palo Alto, Calif.), has agreed to serve as the company's interim chief executive officer (CEO). Thompson, who currently serves on the boards of Vitex and Photon Dynamics as well as the United States Display Consortium (USDC), takes over from departing CEO Michael Sullivan, who successfully led Vitex from its early start-up phase to its current position.
Commenting on the transition, Vitex Chairman Ben Maiden explained that the company is entering a new phase of customer engagements, business growth and leadership requirements. "Michael has been instrumental in establishing the company and leading it through the early stages of technology development. This included a significant partnership agreement with Samsung SDI earlier this year. We are grateful for his efforts and are equally pleased that he will continue to work closely with both Thompson and Vitex during this transition."
Sullivan expressed optimism about the future of Vitex, noting, "Vitex has an outstanding group of people who are committed to contributing to the advancement of the flat panel display industry. I am confident they will be successful."
"Vitex is at a very exciting stage in its growth cycle," noted Thompson. "The company is developing a unique OLED encapsulation solution and flexible barrier substrate to revolutionize the display industry. Vitex expects its products to reduce display weight, thickness and cost, and enable roll-to-roll manufacturing of flexible displays."
In order to help commercialize Vitex's unique OLED barrier substrate products, encapsulation processes and equipment for high-volume production applications, the company is in the process of raising additional funding. The two leading corporate investors, Battelle Memorial Institute and Mitsubishi Corporation, expect to make a significant follow-on investment based on the strength of the technology as well as customer interest shown to date by leading display manufacturers around the world.
Thompson, who has served on the Vitex board for the past year, has more than 25 years of relevant industry experience. He has served as CEO of both Novalux and dpiX. He was also founder and chairman of the USDC. During his career, he also served as chief technologist of the renowned Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. He currently heads MJT Associates, an executive and technology consulting company specializing in the display and flexible microelectronics area. He holds a B.S. degree and a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Brighton Polytechnic in the United Kingdom
For more information, please contact:
US Display Consortium
Heidi Hoffman
84 W. Santa Clara Street, Ste. 790
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 993-8111
heidi@usdc.org
Vitex Systems, Inc.
Malcolm Thomspon
408-519-4444
408-519-4470
mthompson@vitexsys.com
About the U.S. Display Consortium
The U.S. Display Consortium is an industry-led public/private partnership providing a common platform for flat panel display and flexible microelectronics manufacturers and developers, FPD users, and the supplier base. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the consortium’s primary mission is to fund supply-chain projects and share the results with USDC member companies. The USDC also provides a communication channel among industry, government and the financial communities for display issues; sponsors workshops to broaden the impact of technological developments; and educates consumers on the importance of displays in providing access to information technology. More information about the USDC can be found at www.usdc.org
Vitex Systems Inc., headquartered in San Jose, Calif., is commercializing transparent ultra-barrier films for use in flat panel displays. The company is developing a unique OLED display encapsulation solution, as well as a flexible barrier substrate, which will lead to the manufacture of full-color, active matrix OLED displays that are lighter in weight and thickness than any other commercially available displays. Vitex will enable display makers to realize their ultimate dream of producing unbreakable, flexible flat panel displays. The company was incubated at Battelle Memorial Institute, the world's largest independent private non-profit research foundation, and was spun off as an independent company in 1999. For more information on Vitex Systems visit www.vitexsys.com.
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