Sharp to Build Second Plant in Mexico

Will Construct an Integrated Production System for LCD TVs, From Module Assembly to Finished Set

Sharp Corporation will construct a second production facility on the grounds of its present Mexico plant, the base for supplying LCD TVs to the North American market. The new plant will feature an integrated production system, from LCD module assembly to finished TV set.

Capital investment for the new plant, including buildings and production equipment, will total approximately 8 billion yen. The target date for the start of operations is July 2007. Projected monthly production capacity for LCD TVs is 200,000 units.

The existing Mexico plant began production of LCD modules in September of last year, but to cope with burgeoning demand for LCD TVs in North America, Sharp will construct this new facility on the grounds of the existing plant. The company will work to build an integrated production system, from assembly of LCD modules to finished TV sets.

By augmenting its production capacity for LCD TVs with the construction of this second plant, Sharp is aiming to expand sales in the North American market, focusing on the 40- and 50-inch-class models - Sharp.