Sharp LCD panel business plans to spin off and go public to raise funds

Jiwei News (text / small) Recently, Sharp Chairman and President Dai Zhengwu revealed in an interview with Japanese media that he plans to spin off its LCD panel business between 2020 and 2021 and consider listing it. Expect to raise funds from outside and invest in next-generation panel technology.

According to Nikkei, Dai Zhengwu said in a video interview in New Taipei City, Taiwan on the 16th that he planned to spin off Display Device Company (DDC), an in-house company that operates the LCD panel business, and also considered listing it.

It is reported that DDC is engaged in the production and research and development of small and medium-sized LCD panels for smartphones, PCs, and automobiles through the Kameyama Plant and the Mie Plant in Japan, and also produces OLED panels through the (Torkai) plant. With 2018 revenue of 700-800 billion yen, it is Sharp's largest business group.

Dai Zhengwu said that Sharp owns many panel-related patents and has the technical ability to raise funds from outside. In addition, even if DDC is listed, Sharp will maintain a shareholding ratio of more than 50% and will continue to control the operating rights.

Regarding the timing of the spin-off of DDC, Dai Zhengwu pointed out, "I hope that it will be realized by the end of 2021 at the latest when I remove my post as chairman."

It is worth mentioning that Sharp is currently in negotiations with Japan Display Inc (JDI) and intends to acquire the JDI Baishan plant. In this regard, Dai Zhengwu pointed out that if the acquisition case comes true, the Baishan factory will also be included in the spin-off target, but Skai Display Product (SDP), which produces large-size LCD TV panels, is not on the spin-off list.