Panasonic will cease in-house production of TVs in Pilsen, Czech Republic. The company will introduce new TV models in 2022 but they will be produced by an external partner.
TV development will continue
The decision is final and Panasonic informed its staff about the changes earlier this week. The company has confirmed the information to FlatpanelsHD.
Panasonic will continue TV development in Japan and Europe but cease in-house production of TVs. Starting in 2022, production of new TV models will move to an external partner, which was not identified. Nikkei previously reported that China's TCL is a likely partner.
- "This week we have received the information internally that we will move the production of our future TV models from the factory in the Czech Republic to an external partner," Panasonic wrote in a statement to FlatpanelsHD. "We will continue our investment in TV and offer many new models in 2022, and all product development in both Japan and in Europe (Langen, Germany) will continue. We guarantee that we will continue to have competitive models and the best picture quality. The only difference is that our future TV models are assembled in another factory."
Panasonic's TV factory in Pilsen, Czech Republic. Photo: Company
Panasonic had already outsourced some of its TV production to external partners. However, mid-range and high-end models, including LCD and OLED TVs, are currently being produced at the factory in Czech Republic, which employs approximately 1000 people.
The factory in Czech Republic was established in 1996 to manufacture CRT TVs before switching to production of plasma TVs. It will scale down but remain in operation to produce other types of video products such as Blu-ray players as well as heat pumps.
