[Chris Muriel]

In my (work-based) news topics this morning :

Monday, May 12, 2003
Loewe, Sharp Expand Deal On LCD TVs
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Source: TWICE

TWICE via NewsEdge Corporation : PLYMOUTH, MASS.-- High-end TV manufacturer Loewe Opta, with U.S. sales offices based here, announced that it is expanding an ongoing partnership with Sharp to produce ultra-flat LCD televisions.
The two companies said they will jointly develop and market LCDs in Europe, the United States, Japan and other Asian markets.

The original partnership began in 2000 as a joint technology venture in the high-end LCD-TV segment.

The focus of the new agreement is on the joint development of premium class, large-format LCD televisions for the European market.

The agreement between the two companies also calls for optimizing assembly operations to pursue economies of scale. Loewe is already producing LCD-TVs in the production center of Kronach, Germany.

Plans also call for collaboration in the area of product sales outside of Europe. Sharp has expressed interest in marketing Loewe products in Japan and other Asian markets. At the same time, Loewe is planning to expand its range of product sold in the United States.

Loewe is lending its expertise in digital signal-processing technology, focusing on the development of "premium products specially designed for European markets."

Sharp has long been considered a top developer and manufacturer of LCD technology.

Chris Muriel, Manchester.