Archive for the ‘Sharp’ Category
LCD TV Panel Price Declines
There is an oversupply of LCD TV panels and that means prices are expected to fall. According to DisplaySearch, April average selling prices (ASPs) for 32″ 720p LCD panels dropped $2 from $330 to $328 (typical) while 42″ 720p ASPs were down $10 from $532 to $522. 46″ 1080p ASPs were also down $10 from $765 to $755.
Sony to Tap Hon Hai, Qisda to Build LCD TVs
Sony is tapping into Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) and Qisda Corporation to manufacture LCD TVs. This is the first time that Foxconn and Qisda will be assembling LCD TVs for Sony. Qisda is the manufacturing arm of BenQ. Foxconn will be building Sony’s 32″ and 37″ LCD TVs while Qisda will be making slightly larger and upscale ones. Wistron is the other Taiwanese contract manufacture Sony will be using in 2008 to build up to 4 million LCD TVs.
Sharp to Invest US$729 Million in Thin-Film Solar Plant in Sakai, Japan
On March 27, 2008, Sharp announced a JPY72 billion (US$729 million) investment in a new solar cell plant in Sakai, Japan. Sharp is competing with Germany’s Q-Cells and many others. The Sakai thin-film plant will use substrates with a dimension of 1000 x 1400mm.
LG Electronics Procure LCD Panels from Sharp
Based on a news report from DigiTimes, LG Electronics (LGE) is sourcing LCD panels from Sharp. With LGE’s strong relationship with LG Display (LGD), LGE is able to procure most of what it needs. However, it seems LGD is not able to meet the growing demand from its part-owner and semi-parent company.
Merck: Dominant Liquid Crystal Supplier
According to Walter Zywottek, head of Merck’s chemicals business, Merck’s Japanese competitors have not made substantial enough investments to have a major impact on the company’s liquid crystal business. Zywottek also forecasted that LCs prices will stabilize as flat panel display TVs has largely shifted toward LCD technology instead of plasma.
