Briefs: Changes in Leaders, Wafers, EVs, Batteries and More

In the midst of changing opportunities and markets, electronics companies are taking steps to ensure their continued success. Recent moves include a new Navitas CEO, a collaboration between Toshiba and SICC for SiC wafers, a change in Porsche’s battery plans, and an expansion of Richardson Electronics’ manufacturing facility. Meanwhile, ChargePoint is offering electric vehicle charging compatibility, and Landis+Gyr has received recognition for its AMI.

Semiconductor wafers, EV batteries and charging, data centers, grid management, and energy storage systems are changing and growing. Adapted from images used courtesy of Canva

Navitas Semiconductor Selects New President and CEO

Chris Allexandre has become Navitas Semiconductor’s president and CEO, succeeding outgoing CEO and founder Gene Sheridan. Allexandre will also join the board of directors.

Allexandre served in several leadership roles at Renesas Electronics Corp., most recently as its Power Division Senior Vice President and General Manager, guiding the company’s $2.5 billion power management business. He also led the company’s ventures into cloud infrastructure and automotive and industrial markets. Previously, he was Renasas’ Chief Sales and Marketing Officer from 2019 to 2023.

Navitas’ new CEO, Chris Allexandre. Image used courtesy of Navitas Semiconductor

Additionally, Allexandre was Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Integrated Device Technology, Inc., which Renesas acquired in 2019. He also served in executive roles at NXP Corporation, Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc., and Texas Instruments.

Navitas Semiconductor is known for its GaNFast power ICs and GeneSiC technology. Its target markets are energy infrastructure, AI data centers, and consumer electronics.

Toshiba Partners With SICC for SiC Power Semiconductor Wafers

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage and SICC Co., Ltd. will collaborate to improve the quality and characteristics of silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor wafers. Under a memorandum of understanding, SICC will develop, manufacture, and supply high-quality, stable wafers to Toshiba.

Toshiba aims to reduce power losses and improve reliability and efficiency in the semiconductors it develops and manufactures for railways, power supplies, and automotive use. The collaboration with SICC is also intended to help expand business and accelerate solutions for different applications.

12-inch (30 cm) SiC wafers. Image used courtesy of SICC

SICC has been producing single-crystal SiC wafers since its 2010 founding. The company introduced the first 12-inch SiC wafer in 2024 and has expanded its use for all products, including p-type, n-type, and semi-insulating.

Porsche Drops Plans for EV Battery Production

Responding to a slowdown in the e-mobility market, Porsche has shifted the focus of its battery subsidiary, Cellforce Group. The company has ended plans to expand high-performance electric vehicle battery production but will focus on battery cell research and development instead.

Porsche built a factory in Kirchenstellinsfurt, Germany, in 2002, with plans to ramp up to a 1 GWh production volume of batteries. However, Porsche noted that EV markets in China and the U.S. are not meeting expectations. EVs and hybrids comprise about 57% of European vehicles. The shutdown will result in layoffs, the company said.

Porsche offers several all-electric vehicles, including the Taycan, Turismo, and Macan SUV.

ChargePoint Offers Conversion Kit for Older EV Charging Stations

ChargePoint has released conversion kits to make any older EV charging station compatible with new EVs. The kits enable installation of the company’s OmniPort, which includes both a CCS1/J1772 and a North American Charging Standard (Tesla; SAE J3400) charging connector. Drivers can select their EV type in the ChargePoint app, and the charger then releases the correct connector. A charging port adapter is not needed.

OmniPort is a standard feature of ChargePoint’s new chargers. Image used courtesy of ChargePoint

Richardson Electronics to Expand BESS Production in Illinois

Richardson Electronics has made an $8.5 million capital investment to expand its Illinois manufacturing headquarters over the next four years. The investment will fund structural upgrades and equipment as Richardson works to research, develop, and produce advanced battery energy storage systems (BESS).

The next-generation BESS can help support grid stability and renewable energy integration and provide energy storage options for healthcare, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure industries. The company states it plans to demonstrate the commercial viability of long-duration energy storage.

Richardson Electronics’ headquarters in northern Illinois. Image used courtesy of Richardson Electronics

Richardson will receive support from the Reimaging Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) program. The investment will create 54 new full-time jobs.

Landis+Gyr Named 2025 Global Company of the Year for AMI

Frost & Sullivan has named Landis+Gyr a 2025 Global Company of the Year for its innovations in advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). The recognition is the ninth for Landis+Gyr in AMI since 2013.

Frost & Sullivan evaluates companies on visionary innovation and customer impact. The organization lauded Landis+Gyr for creating a “unified digital-physical grid architecture” that gives real-time visibility at the grid edge.