Wolfson steps out of the shadows

WOLFSON Microelectronics removed one of the biggest shadows hanging over its business last week when it emerged relatively unscathed from a patent infringement suit brought against it by rival Cirrus.

Industry insiders also claim the Edinburgh-based group should be in a position to announce two multimillion-pound contracts wins within weeks.

Wolfson is supplying two of the world’s biggest consumer electronics firms with components for their latest products - which are both being launched in time for the Christmas sales period. But further details are being kept under wraps for now due to the secrecy demanded by the clients.

It is unclear whether either contract involves one of Wolfson’s existing clients or a new customer. But most of the world’s biggest electronics firms are already on its books - including Microsoft, Sony and Apple (which uses Wolfson’s sound chips in its iPod music player).

The shares may have halved in value in the year since its flotation, but there are signs the group is beginning to get back on the right track.