Newbridge executive fuels takeover rumours

NEWS A senior Newbridge Networks executive has refused to quash industry speculation that the company is an acquisition target for French telecoms company, Alcatel. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Silicon.com, Andreas Dohmen, VP and general manager EMEA, said: "It's not on the agenda today but a lot of companies might be interested in us. I think we're one of the best-hidden secrets in the market place, and therefore I imagine some companies, maybe including Alcatel, could be interested, but there are no discussions going on as far as I know." Dohmen explained that because of poor 1999 results, the company has been forced to make drastic changes. New executives were hired and ten per cent of the workforce was laid off. Dohmen said: "We have tried to be all things to all men but we've been carrying too much baggage with us." Changes at the top included the departure of former CEO Alan Lutz and the hiring of new president and chief operating officer Pearse Flynn. In addition to his staffing reductions, Flynn reassured shareholders that although the company was a target for a takeover, he would only enter into such an agreement if it was right for the company. The full interview with Andreas Dohmen can be seen in Silicon's Fast Networking Channel (http://www.silicon.com/a35864 ).