What They Say
Nikkei reports that Samsung has told suppliers that it will continue to make LCDs up to the end of 2022. The plant affected is in Asan, Korea.
What We Think
This is no real surprise to regular readers. There is a longer article explaining the background, but nothing we haven’t covered recently. The article quotes the rise of more than 100% in open cell prices for 55″ TV panels from $106 a year ago to $225 now as the key factor – again no surprise. The article, however, doesn’t talk about the second factor which is rumoured to be that the Samsung VD TV business wants the right quality of panel and it is less sure of this with its Chinese suppliers.
We have heard complaints recently by some brands that they have been let down in supply quantities by Chinese makers who have not always been able to ramp or supply enough panels with agreed quality levels. (BR)
