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Politics : Formerly About Applied Materials -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (40755)	12/13/2000 10:51:48 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 70976

Chi Mei Opens 3.5-Generation Production Line for TFT-LCD Panels December 13, 2000 (TAIPEI) -- Chi Mei Electronics Corp. began operating a production line for thin-film transistor liquid-crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels, to boost its profits as the market for TFT-LCD panels becomes more competitive. Chi Mei is a large-scale TFT-LCD panel supplier located in southern Taiwan. The company and its affiliate Arch Technology Inc., an LCD monitor maker, are both subsidiaries of Chi Mei Industrial Corp., an unlisted local petrochemical company that operates the world's largest ABS resin plant. The industrial group has moved into the electronics market in recent years and has seen considerable success due to the strength of its research and development efforts. The group's newly developed production line, launched by Chi Mei Electronics, was developed by Arch Technology. According to Arch engineers, the so-called "easy panel," a panel produced by the easy-assembly TFT-LCD panel manufacturing line, features a simplified knockdown design for LCD monitor cases. This allows monitors to be assembled on a far simpler production line. Arch has applied for patents for the new process in its major overseas markets. Arch is confident that the "easy-panel" production process will help slash production costs for its clients while also increasing its competitive edge. It noted that many local companies have failed in their overseas production efforts, especially in the U.S. and European markets. The company said that nearly all local LCD monitor makers that have tried to produce in the U.S. and European markets haven't succeeded, due to high costs associated with labor and real estate. Those that have set up storage and distribution in such markets have also suffered losses due to sharp fluctuations in the exchange rates. In view of this situation, Arch has decided to promote its new production processes locally, including the new "easy panel" program. Initially its major export market was Japan, but it has recently also received orders from the United States and Europe. (Commercial Times, Taiwan)