[SEOUL = Whowired] Dec 26, 2011 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (“Samsung”) and Sony Corporation (“Sony”) today announced that the two companies have signed agreements to transition the current business relationship with respect to LCD panels. 

Under the agreement, Samsung will acquire all of Sony’s shares of S-LCD Corporation (“S-LCD”), the two companies’ LCD panel manufacturing joint venture, making S-LCD a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung. In consideration for the share transfer, cash consideration of approximately KRW 1.08 trillion* will be paid to Sony by Samsung. Concurrently, the two companies have entered into a new strategic agreement for the supply and purchase of LCD panels with a goal of enhancing the competitiveness of both companies. The agreement also allows Samsung and Sony to continue cooperative engineering efforts focused on LCD panel technology. 

For Sony, this transaction will enable it to monetize its shares in S-LCD and aims to secure a flexible and steady supply of LCD panels from Samsung, based on market prices and without the responsibility and costs of operating a manufacturing facility. With whole ownership of S-LCD, Samsung anticipates heightened flexibility, speed and efficiency in both panel production and business operations.

Established in April 2004, S-LCD has continued to deliver advanced and cost-competitive LCD panels to both of its parent companies, contributing to the expansion of the respective parties’ TV businesses, and the large-sized LCD TV market overall. However, LCD panel and TV market conditions have now changed. In order to respond to such challenging conditions and to strengthen their respective market competitiveness, the two companies have agreed to shift to a new LCD panel business alliance.

The share transfer and payment are targeted to close by the end of January 2012, subject to necessary approvals from regulatory authorities.

Facts about S-LCD

Established:                                   April 26, 2004

Capital:                                          KRW 3.3 Trillion

(Samsung Electronics: 50% plus 1 share, Sony: 50% minus 1 share)

Representative:                              Donggun Park, CEO

Location:                                       Tangjeong, Chung Cheong Nam-Do, South Korea

Production Items:                                        7th and 8th generation Amorphous TFT LCD

*Note: The final amount of such payment will be determined based on S-LCD’s financial statements as of the end of December 2011.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2011 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices in 68 countries, the company consists of nine independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Memory, System LSI and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Sony

Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world.  Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately U.S. $87 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. 

Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/