Pioneer quitting Plasma manufacture

chris

Pioneer hasn’t had much luck this past few years. First it firmly backed the (analogue) Laser Disk technology that was superseded by DVDs. Now, having invested squillions in the technology, it is dropping its own-made plasma TVs. Not that Pioneer will altogether exit from TV sets bearing its name. For 2008-2009 it will produce its own plasma sets from its wholly-owned factory, indeed its latest – and much admired – Kuro (“Deep Black”) range will be announced in May.

But a recent letter to shareholders stated that it is exploring a relationship with LCD-maker Sharp to supply Pioneer with LCD panels which Pioneer will then finish and brand. A similar deal looks like being put in place with arch-rival Matsushita (Panasonic) to buy in plasma panels from them, again to be finished and branded by Pioneer.

Pioneer blamed the decision on “maintaining the cost competitiveness of plasma display panels at projected sales volumes will be difficult going forward. Accordingly, we have decided to terminate in-house plasma display panel production and to procure these panels externally, after panel production for our next series of models is complete. This move will allow us to transform our business model for displays from vertically integrated, capital-intensive operations to a leaner business model geared to making value-added product proposals. Pioneer is currently in discussions on the feasibility of procuring panel modules that may incorporate the Company's proprietary technologies.”

This last phrase is expected to lead to some sort of cross-licensing of Pioneer’s patented technology secrets to third-party suppliers.

Pioneer is also involved in developing wireless TV, permitting sets to be wall-hung without the need for connecting cables.


Source: Rapid TV News