Sony, Seiko in talks on LCD alliance
updated 04:15 pm EDT, Thu March 12, 2009
Sony, Seiko in LCD talks
Sony has began buying equipment necessary to manufacture liquid crystal displays from Seiko Epson and the two companies are in negotiations regarding developing and building small- to medium-sized liquid-crystal displays together,EETimes reports. The specifics of the potential tie-up are not yet known, but if the deal goes through, it could see Sony getting some of Epson's business.
Both companies are in the middle of internal restructurings related to their LCD operations, and Seiko Epson has announced earlier it will close an LCD plant in central Japan by the end of September and move production over to another factory in the west. Seiko Epson also expects to suffer a deeper net loss in 2009 but break even in 2010 thanks to heavy restructuring plans.
Through the alliance, Epson Imaging would share production costs and a more widespread use of its amorphous silicon TFT technology with Sony benefiting from Epson's tech.
