Sony NEC Optiarc Inc., launches its new sales company, Sony NEC Optiarc Europe GmbH ("Optiarc Europe"). The European headquarters will be at Ismaning near Munich, Germany. Optiarc Europe is exhibiting its products at CeBIT for the first time before officially starting to trade in the EMEA region on 2nd April 2007.

The new sales company will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony NEC Optiarc Inc. ("Optiarc Japan") based in Tokyo, Japan. Optiarc Japan is invested by Sony Corporation (55%) and by NEC Corporation (45%), set up in April 2006. The joint venture company develops and manufactures optical disc storage drives. In the EMEA region the new company takes charge of sales and marketing activities of optical disc storage drive products manufactured by its parent company.

"With its establishment we enforce our position in optical disc drive business," says Thomas Nedder, Managing Director of Optiarc Europe. "Our drives are strengthened by the technological combination between NEC's chip technology and Sony's optical core components technology. Our customers include almost all leading computer manufacturers. "

At CeBIT, Optiarc Europe presents a broad product range for the first time - from half-height and slim DVD drives through to blue laser products.