TFS makes cell phone displays for QCOM & MOT..
Read this press release from yesterday and note that Mitsui owns a large chunk of Toshiba, one of the biggest notebook computer makers,
that could end up using TFS displays.. TFS is going on a road show in September.. this stock is going higher..
Three-Five Systems and Mitsui & Co. to Market Microdisplays in Japan
Business Wire - August 02, 1999 09:15
TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 1999--
Agreement signals Three-Five Systems' entry into Japanese market for advanced display products
Three-Five Systems, Inc. (NYSE: TFS) and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. of Japan have completed an agreement under which Mitsui will conduct marketing, sales and distribution activities in Japan for Three-Five Systems' advanced display products, including its industry-leading microdisplay technology. The agreement with Mitsui marks Three-Five Systems' entry into the Japanese market with its advanced display products.
The agreement covers all three advanced display products currently in or nearing production at Three Five: LCiD(R) (Liquid Crystal intense Display), LCaD(TM) (Liquid Crystal active Drive), and LCoS(TM) (Liquid Crystal on Silicon). The LCoS technology, scheduled for production during the first quarter of 2000, is Three-Five's microdisplay technology, a thumbnail-size display with the resolution of high-definition television screens. The microdisplay is expected to be the technology platform for a variety of new products, including large viewing screens, high-definition televisions and computer monitors, and mobile telephones featuring video display linkages to remote computer terminals and to television broadcasts.
"Three-Five's advanced display products, particularly the LCoS(TM) microdisplay technology, have performance characteristics that make them the logical choice in display applications, both for the displacement of conventional displays in existing products, as well as enabling new classes of products that are not possible with today's display technologies. Furthermore, in our review of the LCoS(TM) microdisplay industry, it was clear to us that Three-Five was the only company that could offer years of experience in LCD manufacturing and in-house, display design experts," said Masato Takeda, Mitsui's Electronics Division General Manager. "It is the display performance characteristics and near term plans for production that drove our decision to represent Three-Five's products in Japan," he added.
"At over $135 billion in 1998 sales, Mitsui is one of the largest companies in the world, and is also one of the most powerful, well connected firms in Japan. Mitsui's reputation as a trading and marketing firm is second to none, and I am certain that we could not have chosen a more capable partner to represent our advanced display products in Japan," said Jack L. Saltich, Three-Five's new President and CEO.
Under the agreement, Mitsui will conduct sales activity in Japan, including both pre-sales customer development and post-sales follow-up and support. Three-Five Systems' displays sold by Mitsui in Japan will bear Three-Five Systems' name and logo. Three-Five Systems will provide the necessary technical and sales support, including development kits, product samples, advertising and sales materials. Three-Five Systems personnel will also be made available for customer meetings in Japan. Mitsui will initially market microdisplays into products including rear projection systems, virtual systems products, and cellular telephones that provide users with the ability to connect with remote computer systems through the Internet, via their wireless telephone service.
The advent of personal information appliances, the continuing growth of wireless telephones, and the development of portable multimedia terminals, all operating within a broadband wireless infrastructure that enables wireless video communications, are creating a market for Three-Five's display products. The advantages offered by Three-Five's LCoS(TM) technology -- high information content, low power consumption, very small size, high resolution, better system performance, and the potential for higher level system integration - are all features that create important advantages in such products. In addition, the LCoS(TM) technology relies on existing manufacturing systems already in place at Three-Five's Tempe fabrication line.
The characteristics of Three-Five's microdisplay also make it a logical display technology for use in high-definition televisions and computer monitors, particularly in large screen applications where current display technology limits the screen size. The current world-wide market for televisions and computer monitors of all sizes (including large screen) is approximately 240 million units per year. Under the agreement with Mitsui, Three-Five's products will have access to the Japanese share of this growing global market. In addition to being applicable to televisions and monitors currently being produced, Three-Five's LCoS(TM) microdisplay is expected to make possible high definition televisions exceeding 35 inches in size, and computer monitors exceeding 19 inches, the current size limits using currently available display technologies (principally cathode ray tubes).
Mitsui & Co. is one of the world's largest trading and industrial firms, with 1998 sales of over $135 billion. Mitsui was the first general or integrated trading company, established in 1876. Mitsui's wide-range of products and services include; iron and steel, machinery, foodstuffs, non-ferrous metals, electronics and information technology, textiles, chemicals, energy and property development. In the fields of electronics and IT, Mitsui is active in the areas of computers, semiconductors, electronic equipment, and computer software. The company also is involved in the operation of telecommunications and telecommunication-related services including mobile, long-distance, international and satellite communication. Mitsui's core competencies include; facilitating clients' international trading activities through a broad range of specifically tailored services. The second is putting a wide spectrum of information, human, financial, and other resources to work with clients around the world to create new trade flows, new companies, and new industries. Mitsui works to actively identify promising new business opportunities, assist in technology transfers, and organize joint ventures while investing its own capital and management time to promote the success of new enterprises. The company's web site is located at www.mitsui.co.jp.
Three-Five Systems, Inc. is a recognized leader in the design and manufacture of liquid crystal display (LCD) modules for OEM customers in the communications, medical electronics, industrial process control, wireless data collection and office automation marketplaces. At its Tempe, Arizona, headquarters, Three-Five Systems operates the highest volume LCD manufacturing line in North America and a research and development laboratory dedicated to advanced display technologies. The company has developed three proprietary display technologies: LCiD(R) (Liquid Crystal intense Display), LCaD(TM) (Liquid Crystal active Drive), and LCoS(TM) (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) microdisplays. The company's web site is located at www.threefive.com.
Certain statements contained in this document may be deemed to be forward-looking statements under federal securities laws, and Three-Five Systems and Mitsui & Co. intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor created thereby. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to (i) the completion of a definitive agreement under which Mitsui will conduct marketing and sales activities in Japan for Three-Five Systems' products; (ii) expectations of the financial growth and operating results of either company; (iii) expectations of opportunities through technology development; (iv) expansion of any agreement between Three-Five Systems and Mitsui to territories outside of Japan; and (v) extensions of such orders. Three-Five Systems cautions that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Such factors include, but are not limited to, (a) changes in the markets for the company's products; (b) the failure of key technologies to deliver commercially acceptable performance; and (c) the company's ability to complete purchase agreements with OEM manufacturers for its products.
CONTACT: Three-Five Systems Inc.
Elizabeth A. Sharp, 602/389-8837
or
Financial Relations Board:
Paul Goodson, 310/442-0599 (General Inquiries)
Julie Creed, 312/266-7800 (Analyst Inquiries)
Marjorie Ornston, 310/442-0599 (Media Inquiries)
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