Hitachi, Sony & Toshiba Merge LCD

The companies have signed MOU, together with INCJ, to establish the largest global LCD maker by market share: http://bit.ly/p3FxNc

Also noted a few weeks back; Apple likely to invest US$1B in Sharp for mobile displays.. [Eds]

Tokyo, Aug 31, 2011 - (JCN Newswire) - Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (”INCJ”), Hitachi, Ltd. (”Hitachi”), Sony Corporation (”Sony”) and Toshiba Corporation (”Toshiba”) announced today that they have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to integrate their small- and medium-sized display businesses, which are operated by subsidiaries of Hitachi, Sony and Toshiba, in a new company to be established and operated by INCJ (”NewCo”). INCJ, Hitachi, Sony and Toshiba are aiming to sign definitive and legally-binding agreements in the Autumn of 2011 and to complete the business integration in the Spring of 2012, subject to the receipt of any necessary government approvals.

All of the issued shares of subsidiaries of Hitachi, Sony and Toshiba engaged in the small- and medium-sized display business (i.e., Hitachi Displays, Ltd., Sony Mobile Display Corporation and Toshiba Mobile Display Co., Ltd., collectively referred to as the “Subject Subsidiaries”) and other assets are planned to be transferred to NewCo, and INCJ, as a public-private partnership that provides financial, technological and management support for next-generation businesses, plans to invest a total of 200 billion yen in NewCo in exchange for shares to be newly issued to INCJ by NewCo as a third-party allotment. Eventually, INCJ expects to hold 70% of the shares with voting rights of NewCo, while Hitachi, Sony and Toshiba each expect to hold 10% of such shares.

The global market of small- and medium-sized displays is expected to grow rapidly due to anticipated strong demand for high resolution, high value-added products, particularly for smartphones and tablet computers, and superior high resolution display technology, in which Japanese companies are world leaders, is key to competitiveness. Other small- and medium-sized display manufacturers have announced significant investment plans to try to capture this market, and appropriate measures are required in order to enhance competitiveness.

NewCo is expected to utilize the world’s best high value-added technologies of the Subject Subsidiaries and establish new production lines by utilizing capital, which will be provided by INCJ, in order to meet the market demand for high value-added products. In addition, by efficient use of existing production capabilities of the Subject Subsidiaries, NewCo aims to improve its cost competitiveness to solidify its position as a global leading company in the small- and medium-sized display market.

In order to maintain and enhance the world’s best technologies, NewCo is also expected to invest in the world’s most advanced research and development. This investment will focus on the development of high-potential next-generation technologies, including higher resolution and thinner Organic light-emitting diode (”OLED”) displays, in an effort to drive forward the market as a whole.

NewCo’s management will be newly hired, and INCJ is leading the selection process. Each of INCJ, Hitachi, Sony and Toshiba plans to appoint the outside directors of NewCo. Also, INCJ, Hitachi, Sony and Toshiba intend to provide NewCo with technical support, and NewCo will establish a strong governance framework and business infrastructure.

Outline of the NewCo (Planned):

Name: Japan Display K.K.
Shares with voting rights: INCJ 70%, Hitachi 10%, Sony 10%, Toshiba 10%