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Sony formally quits Sharp LCD joint venture, takes back every yen it invested

Sharif Sakr — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:04:00 EST

After Sony cut off its supply of capital to the ill-fated Sakai production plant that it jointly owns with Sharp, it became clear that the final goodbye may be little more than a formality. And here it is, in the form of a cold, resolute press release stating that Sony is selling its seven percent stake back to Sharp and taking back the 10 billion yen ($126 million) it originally invested. The only reason given is the "rapidly changing market for LCD panels and LCD televisions," which is a polite reference to the fact that profits from big TVs are well below what these companies predicted back in the heady days of 2008 and early 2009, when the impact of the global economic crisis loomed without yet being fully apparent. Fortunately for Sony, which is in the delicate stages of reform, the solid pre-nuptial agreement it had in place with Sharp should protect the company from having to revise its financial forecasts for the coming year -- not that those were particularly great in the first place.

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Sony formally quits Sharp LCD joint venture, takes back every yen it invested originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2012 03:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp to cut LCD production in Osaka plant by half

Jason Hidalgo — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:48:00 EST

Remember that brand-spanking new production facility in Sakai City, Osaka that Sharp just christened a few years back? Japan's Nikkei business daily reports that Sharp will be cutting output at that factory by a whopping half for a month or maybe longer -- its second major reduction in a year. The Sakai factory typically makes 1.3 million 40-inch panels per month but was running at 80-90 percent capacity after being idled in April. Sharp continues to be impacted by the same cutthroat competition in the LCD market that has affected Japanese rivals like Hitachi and Sony as the high yen continues to push up pricing for domestically produced goods while dragging down overseas revenues. Sharp, which recently announced its 2012 lineup, is now thinking about reconfiguring the plant to make panels with higher resolutions and other features during the slowdown.

Sharp to cut LCD production in Osaka plant by half originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp slowing larger LCD panel production, but Sony to feel the squeeze

Ben Bowers — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:43:00 EST

Reports have surfaced that Sharp will be lowering the production capacity of its new Sakai LCD panel factory by 20 to 30 percent for the next two months, apparently in response to piling inventory in the US and China as production outpaced demand. Sharp however hasn't verified these claims and dutifully reiterated its expectations to meet sales forecasts for the fiscal year of 2010. If true though, the decision is unlikely to affect production of Sharp's own panels anyway, since they're made at the Kameyama plant in Mie Prefecture, which in contrast to 2008, will supposedly maintain its current production rates. Instead, other TV manufacturers like Sony will experience the pinch, as a result of billion dollar joint venture deal inked last year, which moved production of their 40-inch and above panels to the Sakai facility in question. Philosophically though, if a few less Bravia panels roll off the production line, and no recession-burdened consumer is around to mourn them, would we even care?

Sharp slowing larger LCD panel production, but Sony to feel the squeeze originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inside Sharp's new LCD factory, we can see our next HDTV from here

Richard Lawler — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:46:00 EST

The path back to LCD leadership for Sharp begins at its just opened Sakai City manufacturing facility. Being a 10th generation facility means it can roll out more and bigger displays, producing six 60-inch LCDs from each glass substrate, 60% more than older 8g facilities. Check out the pics for a peek at where 72,000 substrates per month will be made, delivering those slim LED backlit televisions getting so much love, along with solar panels (also being installed on the roofs for that extra green vibe that's in vogue these days) and a few of the more than 100,000 energy efficient LEDs lighting the factory itself. Whether your closest HDTV purchase is a turkey fueled memory from last weekend or yet to come, bargain hunters and AV fans alike can appreciate an eyeful of the robots and testing equipment slicing, dicing and stamping screens headed for shelves nearby, whether bearing an Aquos brand or any number of other nameplates.

Gallery: Sharp Sakai City 10g LCD plant

Inside Sharp's new LCD factory, we can see our next HDTV from here originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp combines its latest LCD improvements in LX series HDTVs

Richard Lawler — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:12:00 EST

Coming straight out of a brand new 10G production facility in Sakai, Sharp's line of LX HDTVs (in 60-, 52-, 46- and 40-inch sizes) are all sporting the latest in LCD technology with UV²A panels and LED backlighting. Unfortunately, like Sony, these new screens abandon the higher quality RGB LED technology of the pricey XS1 series for cheaper white LEDs. Still, with a price of around $5,000 for a 52-inch compared to the $12,000 sticker shock of the XS1, it's easy to see why the switch was made. Other improvements include a light sensor for auto-calibration, a six speaker (5 speakers on the 40-inch) integrated 2.1 channel sound system with "Duo Bass" subwoofer and the usual assortment of VOD and AQUOS network support in store for Japanese buyers this November. While already available on a few U.S. models expect the new tech to spread across Sharp's U.S. lineup shortly, not to mention Sony and anyone other parties interested in a piece of the company's suddenly expanded manufacturing muscle.

[Via AV Watch & Akihabara News]

Filed under: HDTV

Sharp combines its latest LCD improvements in LX series HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp combines its latest LCD improvements in LX series HDTVs

Richard Lawler — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:12:00 EST

Filed under: Displays, Sharp, LCD

Sharp combines its latest LCD improvements in LX series HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony, Sharp 10G LCD production plant deal officially official

Richard Lawler — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:18:00 EST

Economic difficulties made things more complicated than expected, but Sharp and Sony have finally inked an agreement on a billion dollar joint venture that will see Sony initially taking a 7% stake later this year, rising to 34% by the end of April 2011. The key here is for Sony to get access to the production, while Sharp sees this as just the first of several deals that will allow it to sell half of the 13 million 42-inch TVs produced annually to other manufacturers. The Nikkei says deals with Toshiba and European manufacturers are on the table, so despite what your next TV says on the front, there's a decent chance it originates at the Sakai plant scheduled to open in October.

Read - AV Watch
Read - Nikkei

Filed under: Industry, Sharp, Sony, LCD

Sony, Sharp 10G LCD production plant deal officially official originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp and Sony delay LCD joint venture, not that it matters

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:06:00 EST

The global economic downturn and rising Yen have claimed another victim: the LCD partnership between Sony and Sharp. The joint venture to make and sell large LCD panels has now been pushed to March 2010 -- the same date that Sharp's new LCD factory in Sakai is still scheduled to open. So one way or another you'll be able to snag the next generation Sharp- or Sony-branded LCD television. Assuming a) the companies survive, and b) you still have a job. What, too pessimistic?

Filed under: Industry, Displays, Sharp, Sony, LCD

Sharp and Sony delay LCD joint venture, not that it matters originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp and Sony delay LCD joint venture, not that it matters

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:06:00 EST

The global economic downturn and rising Yen have claimed another victim: the LCD partnership between Sony and Sharp. The joint venture to make and sell large LCD panels has now been pushed to March 2010 -- the same date that Sharp's new LCD factory in Sakai is still scheduled to open. So one way or another you'll be able to snag the next generation Sharp- or Sony-branded LCD television assuming, a) the companies survive, and b) you still have a job. What, too pessimistic?

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Sharp and Sony delay LCD joint venture, not that it matters originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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