Corporate control dispute
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Chipmaker Nexperia and Chinese owner Wingtech fight for control in Dutch court
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-14 15:55
Core Viewpoint - The ongoing legal dispute between Dutch chipmaker Nexperia and its Chinese owner Wingtech has led to significant operational challenges, including a shortage of chips for car manufacturers, as the Dutch government intervenes due to concerns over intellectual property transfer to China [1][2]. Group 1: Legal and Management Issues - Nexperia's European management is currently in a legal battle with Wingtech, which has resulted in the suspension of Wingtech's founder Zhang Xuezheng as CEO and the removal of Wingtech's control over Nexperia's shares [2][4]. - The Amsterdam Enterprise Court is set to hear arguments regarding allegations of mismanagement by Nexperia's senior European executives, with a decision on whether to conduct a full investigation pending [3]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Strategic Moves - Nexperia reported a profit of $331 million on sales of $2.06 billion in 2024, indicating a strong financial position despite the ongoing disputes [6]. - The company has ceased shipping wafers to China due to nonpayment issues and plans to invest $300 million to enhance packaging capacity in Malaysia to cater to non-Chinese customers [7]. Group 3: Market Context and Future Prospects - Wingtech argues that Zhang's management plans are aligned with the growth opportunities in China, the largest car market globally, which could benefit Nexperia as a subsidiary [5]. - The geopolitical landscape has seen various measures imposed and later retracted by the U.S., Dutch, and Chinese governments affecting Nexperia, highlighting the strategic interests at play [6].