Recent reports suggest both Samsung and LG Display are evaluating the option of moving currently installed Gen 8 equipment from their Korean fabs to the new fabs they have been planning on building in China in 2012 and 2013. As analyzed in our recent Quarterly FPD Supply/Demand and Capital Spending Report, there are a variety of potential benefits as well as negatives with this “Move to China” strategy.
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Author Archives: Charles Annis
About Charles Annis
Charles is Vice President, Manufacturing Research for DisplaySearch. He tracks and forecasts FPD investments, analyzing emerging technologies and PV research.
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Super High Resolution FPDs: The Future of Better Image Quality
The release of Apple’s iPhone 4 in June 2010, and its subsequent enormous commercial success, ushered in the age of super high resolution (SHR) FPDs, proving that consumers literally see the value of high resolution.
High resolution enables some 3D technologies, allowing viewing of larger displays at the same distance and improving the viewing experience of smart TV. But most importantly, high resolution appeals to all FPD users because it provides smoother, higher quality images.
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Sharp’s Announcement on Oxide TFT LCDs: Technology Breakthrough or Attempt to Change the Subject?
Recently, Sharp has been the subject of many news stories and rumors about its LCD business, and the company has tried to take control of the discussion with several announcements. The rapid-fire news emphasizes the challenges the company faces, as well as highlights the technical prowess of the last remaining top tier Japanese LCD maker. Consider the following:
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Impact of the Japanese Disaster on the PV Industry
The magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck Northeast Japan on March 11 and the tsunami that followed later killed thousands and devastated huge parts of the country. In the process, multiple nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station were damaged; two of them have already partially melted down, and the cooling system at a third has failed.
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Applied Materials is First PV Equipment Supplier to Reach US$1B in Revenue
As originally featured on PV-Tech.org on November 17, 2010, our analysis reveals that Applied Materials (AMAT) has just reached a significant landmark. They are the first equipment supplier to reach and exceed the US$1 billion barrier for PV-specific trended Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) tool revenues. This is based on AMAT FY2010 results, which reported fourth-quarter net sales within its Energy & Environmental Services (EES) segment (includes PV tool revenues) of US$606 million. In spite of the dwindling backlog and subsequent discontinuation of one of its flagship PV-specific products, AMAT’s PV revenues have stabilized at, and then considerably exceeded, the US$1 billion trended TTM level.
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