Date: 30/06/2009

Sony is acquiring some assets of Epson's small-and medium-Sized TFT LCD operations

Seiko Epson and Sony have signed agreement to transfer certain assets of the small and medium sized TFT liquid crystal display (LCD) business operated by Epson Imaging Devices Corporation to Sony group. This deal involves no payment and is subject to government approval. Since Mar 2009 Sony and Epson are discussing for transferring assets related LCD manufacturing.

In this growing market small and medium sized TFT liquid crystal display (LCD) business (except the recent quarters), this acquisition will send Sony up in the ranking of small and medium sized LCD suppliers. Also Sony gains technical edge both in low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD production and amorphous silicon TFT LCD production.

The other leaders in this market are Sharp, Toshiba Mobile Display, Samsung, Hitachi, LG and Truly.