CES: Sharp Sees ‘09 LCD TV Industry Revs Down Vs. ‘08

Ah, here I am again for Sharp ’s annual CES Press Day press conference and box lunch. This is their spot every year. Kind of a tradition. Kicking things off is Doug Koshima , CES and Chairman of Sharp’s U.S. subsidiary. He says Sharp is confident they will weather the economic storm and emerge stronger. He says there is still room to grow in the LCD TV market. He says worldwide revenues for LCD TVs is expected to fall 16% in 2009, according to Display Search, but with a 10% increase in 2010. Koshima notes that they have started construction on a new plant for LCD TVs in Sakai City, Japan, that should begin production in March 2010; it will be the first plant in the world to use Generation 10 glass substrate. That translates to 60 six inch panels per sheet; of 15 40-inch glass panels. On LED technology, Sharp repeated its previous view that it is “not ready for prime time.” Mike Troetti , president of Sharp Electronics Marketing Co. of America, agreed that it will ... (link)