Enterprise Ireland
Annual Report and Accounts 2006
Annual Report and Accounts 2006
The success of multi-national Silicon & Software Systems Ltd (S3) illustrates how sustained innovation and leading-edge technology products and services can achieve a world-class exporting performance.
Widely regarded as the international leader in the connected consumer technology market, S3 has more than 300 employees worldwide.
It serves a global customer base from engineering design centres in Ireland (Dublin and Cork) and Central Europe, and sales and marketing operations located in the US, UK, the Netherlands and Asia.
Celebrating 20 years in business in 2006, the Dublin headquartered company has built up a vast knowledge of consumer technology and carved out a position at the cutting edge of the development and delivery of next-generation technologies, products and professional services.
S3 customers are some of the biggest and best known companies in the world, including the likes of Intel, Texas Instruments, Fujitsu, Sky, Nokia, Samsung, Philips, OpenTV and many others. Via these customers S3's silicon and software solutions are used in millions of consumer electronics products worldwide, including Set-Top Boxes, personal video recording equipment, High-Definition TVs and multiple wireless and networking devices.
S3 also collaborates with world-class technology partners such as IBM, Cadence, Synopsys and ST Microelectronics amongst others.
With support from Enterprise Ireland, a successful buyout by the Irish management team in 2005 involving VC investment of €10 million effectively repositioned S3 as an indigenous company.
Almost 100 per cent of S3's technology is exported. In 2006 it generated over €23 million in export sales, working in close cooperation with Enterprise Ireland's overseas teams. The company is forecast to further expand in 2007 as it leverages its systems, software and silicon technology into the high growth consumer home, mobile and healthcare markets.
CEO John O'Brien says:
"Our target is to achieve strong growth by positioning S3 as a leading technology supplier in high-growth digital TV, mobile TV and wireless markets."
Also in 2007, S3 will invest €9 million in R&D, supported by Enterprise Ireland, to develop advanced technologies used for Set-Top Boxes, Personal Video Recorders, High Definition TV, TV on Mobile and Silicon Chip Design. The funding will see the company create 20 new high-value R&D roles at their facilities in Dublin and Cork.
www.s3group.com (link opens in a new browser window)
