Taiwanese Companies Lead 4K Panel Manufacturing

A new report breaks down 4K panel production for 2014 by manufacturer.

According to the NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly LCD TV Value Chain & Insight Report, Taiwanese manufacturers Innolux and AUO are set to lead 4K panel production and shipments in 2014. Combined, the two companies are poised to seize about 58 percent of the market.

Meanwhile, global suppliers Samsung and LG are expected to hold about 25 percent of the 4K panel production market, and Chinese companies ChinaStar and BOE will take hold of about 14 percent. The report also notes that there is a growing difference in the Chinese and global manufacturers' approach to panel development. On the one hand, the Chinese companies are focusing on their own domestic market with cheaper, low cost panels, while global brands like LG and Samsung are placing their emphasis on high picture quality for expanded markets.

"The 4K display demand from their related TV brands is critical to the ability of Samsung Display and LG Display to compete effectively within the growing 4K TV market," said Deborah Yang, research director for monitors and TV for DisplaySearch. "The ability of the Korean panel makers to expand 4K panel production is dependent on their success in securing more 4K display clients, beyond satisfying the needs of their own 4K TV brands."

"The rise of the 4K TV market is mainly driven by the supply side, while leading TV brands are concerned about the value proposition of 4K TVs," Yang said. "While some TV brands are considering increasing their 4K TV shipment targets, we continue to see a mismatch between 4K TV panel supply plans and consumer purchasing expectations."

Both Samsung and LG announced new 4K television lineups at CES in January. The companies plan to supply around 60 percent of their 4K panels from their individual in-house panel production.

Sources: Display Search via TWICE

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