Panasonic to Centralize Plasma Panel Production by Year-end 2008
November 21, 2008
Japanese Panasonic will optimize its PDP (Plasma Display Panel) production throughput by centralizing production resources, Reuters reported on November 19, adding that the initiative is slated for completion by year-end 2008.
According to the same source, Panasonic's Ibaraki plant - which is located in Osaka Prefecture, and currently producing 65-inch PDPs - will later focus on the R&D and testing of flat panels. Additionally, the company plans to set up a new R&D facility in the same premises in the fiscal year 2009, which runs from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2009. All sizes of PDPs, including 65-inch PDPs, will later be manufactured at two facilities located in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture.
As part of the company's internal reorganization, the initiative is expected to improve cost competitiveness and lower production costs by up to four billion Yen (US$42.0 million; US$1 = 95.3Yen) per year, according to Reuters again.