In a surprising move, Samsung and Sharp have entered an agreement where Samsung invests 10.4 billion Yen (around $112 million) in Sharp’s LCD business.
Samsung & Sharp's LCD deal
Samsung and Sharp have traditionally been competitors with its different variations of the VA LCD panel technology but that is over. Samsung and Sharp are now about to start collaborating on LCDs.
Samsung has invested in Sharp, but the deal has nothing to do with Sharp’s impressive IGZO based LCDs, sources say
Samsung has invested 10.4 billion Yen (around $112 million USD) which gives Samsung a 3 % stake in Sharp. It also makes Samsung the fifth largest stakeholder in Sharp. The agreement will give Samsung access to LCD panels form Sharp, in particular 32” panels. Sharp will use the money to expand production of smartphone and TV panels. Sources in the industry say that it has nothing to do with Sharp’s IGZO technology.
Sharp and Hon Hai (Foxconn) are also currently negotiating a deal where Hon Hai aims to invest in Sharp. Qualcomm recently invested $120 million in Sharp. Sharp and Samsung’s deal will be finalized on March 28, 2013 and will run through 2013 to March 2015.
- Source: Sharp
Samsung invests $112 m. in Sharp's LCD business
