Det har lenge versert rykter rundt Panasonics plasmaproduksjon. I dag kommer bekreftelsen som muligens vil falle mange bildeentusiaster tungt for hjertet. Den japanske produsenten kunngjør i dag at de vil stanse produksjonen av plasmaskjermer i desember i år, og at de innen 31. Mars 2014 vil legge ned all plasmaaktivitet.
Avgjørelsen kommer som følgende av sviktende salg og dårlig lønnsomhet i plasmamarkedet. Panasonic har tidligere stengt produksjonen på to av sine fabrikker, og i løpet av desember vil også den tredje fabrikken ha produsert sitt siste plasmapanel. Alle aktiviteter rundt plasma innen både forbruker- og proffmarkedet vil ta en endelig slutt i mars 2014 da Panasonics regnskapsår slutter.
Panasonic vil i stedet samle kreftene rundt produksjon og utvikling av OLED og 4K. Den japanske produsenten lanserte tidligere i år verdens første 4K-TV med HDMI 2.0 og DisplayPort™1.2a , 65WT600.
Under kan du lese pressemeldingen fra Panasonic:
Osaka, Japan – Panasonic Corporation today announced that in order to create a
business structure that can respond to changes in the business environment and to
accelerate the growth strategy of the company, the company will end the production of
plasma display panels (PDP) in December 2013, and stop business operations at the
Amagasaki P3 Factory (production currently stopped), the Amagasaki P5 Factory
(production currently suspended), and the Amagasaki P4 Factory, which is currently
operating, by the end of March 2014.
In the display panel business, Panasonic has been promoting the development of
non-TV applications and carried out various restructuring measures, such as reduction
of fixed costs, for both PDP and LCD panels. Through further fundamental business
restructuring, the company is aiming to optimize the business and focus its
management resources.
Since 2000, Panasonic has promoted its PDP business and led the global flat panel
display market with its strategy of utilizing PDP for large displays and LCD for small- and
medium-sized displays.
However, with the rapid development of large-screen LCDs, and facing the severe price
competition in the global market brought on by the Lehman Shock in September 2008,
the company consolidated production in the Amagasaki P4 Factory, made a shift
towards commercial applications and worked to improve the earnings of the business.
Until now, due to the superiority of the picture, Panasonic’s PDPs have received high
appraisal and there has been firm demand from customers worldwide. However, due to
rapid, drastic changes in the business environment and a declining demand for PDP in
the flat panel display market, it was judged that continuing the business would be
difficult and a decision was made to stop production.
– more –
The company will end sales of plasma TVs for consumer use and PDP related products
for commercial use, such as Interactive Plasma Displays, with the products for FY 2014
(ending March 31, 2014). However, by selecting display panels that are most suitable
for each product for both consumer and commercial use, Panasonic will work to develop
and provide appealing products which meet the demands of customers, and will aim
towards new development of its visual and display businesses.