BenQ Mobile charts return from bankruptcy

Managers of BenQ Mobile and the liquidator, Martin Prager, are working on a plan to convert the bankrupt company into a designer of mobile phones for other customers.

Under the plan, announced Friday following a meeting the day before with German politicians, union leaders, and executives from former owner Siemens, BenQ Mobile would narrow its focus on developing mobile phones as an original design manufacturer (ODM) for customers with their own brands, including mobile operators, marketing companies and other handset manufacturers.

A slimmed-down BenQ Mobile would rely on its competencies in the areas of mechanics, materials, and miniaturization to develop and design new phones that meet the specific requirements of their customers, the company said.

The plan comes as both Siemens and Taiwan’s BenQ Corp., which bought the money-losing mobile manufacturing business from the German electronics giant, have faced steady fire since the Taiwanese company announced plans last month to discontinue investment in its German subsidiary and seek bankruptcy protection.

When BenQ acquired the unit, it pledged to keep open the manufacturing sites in Germany and retain the unit’s 3,000 staff in the country. BenQ plans to continue to design and and manufacture mobile phones in Asia under its own brand.

BenQ Mobile said that it is currently reviewing personnel measures in administration, marketing, sales and manufacturing and will provide details shortly.