Date: 02-27-2008
The world’s leading LCD (liquid-crystal display) makers Sony and Sharp Corp. have joined forces to manufacture and sell LCD panels for hot-selling flat televisions. Sony is to acquire 34% of the venture while Sharp will capture the remaining 66%. Sharp is planning to build its new 380 billion yen ($3.4 billion) LCD plant at Sakai, Osaka, under the venture, to which Sony will be contributing more than 100 billion yen ($926 million). In addition to the LCD panels, the venture will also produce LCD modules such as driver chips and backlight units. The Sakai plant, the most advanced in the industry, will produce LCD panels which will be about 60 inches across diagonally. The initial production run, which is scheduled to commence in 2009, is set at 36,000 panels per month.
