LG.Philips and Samsung SDI have plans to mass-produce tubes for slim CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TVs in 2005. While LG.Philips is already outputting thin tubes for 21" CRT TVs in Durham, England, it has plans to expand 21" CRT output in Nanjing, China. The company's 32" tube mass-production will take place in Gumi, Korea.

 

LG.Philips' Gumi plant will launch production for the thin tubes soon, with initial monthly capacity set at 10,000 units, to be ramped up to a 800,000 annual output by the summer of 2005. Introduction of tubes for 28" and 29" CRT TVs is under evaluation as well. LG.Philips' tubes will be shipped primarily to LG Electronics, Skyworth, Thomson, Mivar, and Schneider Electronics.

 

In early 2005, Samsung SDI will be mass-producing its CRTs in Pusan, Korea. Output will mainly go to Samsung Electronics.

 

The slim TV sets produced will be around 14" thick, 30% thinner than traditional models. To reduce costs, mass production of the new tubes is to take place at the companies' existing CRT lines.