Sanyo exits LCD marketplace

By Tom Stundza -- Purchasing, 12/20/2006 6:46:00 AM

Sanyo Electric is selling its stake in a liquid crystal display venture with Seiko Epson, taking it out of the business, where LCD prices have been falling faster than it expected. Japanese wire services report that Sanyo is leaving the LCD screen industry after joining up to create Sanyo Epson Imaging Devices in October 2004. Sanyo, the world's largest maker of rechargeable batteries, last month forecast a third year of losses because of slumping sales of mobile phones and digital cameras. Seiko Epson will make the LCD unit a wholly owned subsidiary.