(Nikkei BP Group)
(No.1 High-Tech News Site in Japanese)
|
|
| [LCD/PDP International '98] Good Timing for Taiwan Makers to Move into LCD Industry: Acer
|
|
November 3, 1998 (TOKYO) -- Now is the best time for Taiwan manufacturers
to tackle the liquid-crystal display industry, said H.B. Chen, president
of Taiwan's Acer Display Technology Inc.
|
Chen made his comments during a speech at "LCD/PDP
International '98" discussing the time when Taiwan's makers should
make inroads into the LCD industry.
The seminar was held Oct. 28-30 at Makuhari Messe, Chiba prefecture,
near Tokyo.
According to Chen, there are two reasons why entering the market now
is a good idea: One, capital investment by Japan and Korea has slowed,
and two, the LCD industry is expected to have double-digit growth in
the next few years.
"It was too early for us to make an entry two years ago, but now six
companies are eager to do so," Chen said.
Asked what Taiwan enterprises have strong assets in the LCD industry,
Chen said production of LCD panels is a volume manufacturing industry
that taps the expertise of Taiwan companies.
Also, Taiwan makers have a high degree of flexibility to handle customer
needs. Taiwan enterprises are located near giant markets, including
China. And, Taiwan encourages market entry and offers preferential
tax measures for corporate players.
However, there are four issues that need to be resolved, Chen added.
They include the lack of infrastructure. It will take time to arrange
the infrastructure of components and materials, but Taiwan makers would
like to tackle that issue at any cost, he said.
In addition, there is a shortage of human resources. Chen said that while
the government so far has not moved on this problem, Taiwan companies
will train people.
Intellectual property also is an issue. According to Chen, Taiwan makers
that cannot get Japanese or Korean partners will have a tough time in
the market.
There also is an issue with the threat of new technologies. Panels Taiwan
makers plan to manufacture are amorphous silicon thin-film transistor
(TFT)-LCDs, but their Japanese counterparts are developing new technologies
such as poly-silicon TFT-LCD panels.
"The technologies will not affect us for a coming few years, but we would
like to examine them discreetly", he said.
Related stories:
� LCD Seminar '98 Focuses on Expanding Monitor Market
� Sharp Executive Speaks on Future Role of LCD Industry
(Nikkei
Microdevices)
<Visit News Center for more Asian news.>
|
|
|
