Thomson was founded in 1893, and has a rich heritage of innovation and invention. From the invention of color processes for motion pictures, to the ongoing development of new post-production workflows and innovation in home networking, Thomson has consistently enabled creative talent to reach screens of every type around the world. Today, Thomson provides a wide range of video and enabling technologies, systems, finished products and services to the Media & Entertainment (“M&E”) industry, where our customers include both the content creators and their partners in the distribution of content.
Thomson is comprised of three major business segments:
Technicolor,
Connect; and
Technology.
Technicolor offers end-to-end management of video-related services for our customers in the Media & Entertainment industry. The division offers services related to the preparation of video content (Content Services) and its distribution, both through physical media (Film Services or DVD Services) and electronic distribution of video and management of video networks (Broadcast Services, Media Networks and Electronic Distribution Services).
Connect comprises two groups, with the bulk of its activities centered on access products.
- Access Products – supplying access and home networking products, notably set-top boxes and advanced service gateways, principally to satellite and cable network operators and to telecom operators, as well as selling telephony and related products mostly through retail channels
- Software Service Platform and Broadcast & Networks – comprising our softswitch and software operations
Technology comprises our Corporate Research activities and our licensing of patents and trademarks.
With the establishment of its new management, Thomson is repositioning itself for the future. The key foundation for the new strategy of Thomson is to focus on the following items:
- a primary set of customers – content creators and distributors;
- bottom-line and positive cash flow generation; and
- growth from the shift to online entertainment distribution direct to the home.
Over the 2009-2011 timeframe, Thomson’s business will base its activities around four strategic pillars:
- improve the balance sheet to achieve financial flexibility and sustainability;
- refocus the business portfolio, through a process of exiting businesses that no longer align with our strategic objectives;
- achieve operational effectiveness through a thorough standardization of processes, systems and tools across the organization, reaping substantial cost saving benefits; and
- achieve profitable and sustainable growth through a specific set of development initiatives.