AU Optronics
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| AU Optronics Corporation | |
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| Type | Public (NYSE: AUO) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1996 (as Acer Display Technology, Inc.) |
| Headquarters |  Hsinchu, Taiwan |
| Key people | Kuen-Yao Lee, President and CEO |
| Industry | Computer peripherals |
| Revenue |  $9.0 billion USD (2006) |
| Employees | 40,600 |
| Website | Main Site |
AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) is Taiwan's largest and a worldwide top 3 manufacturer of thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels (TFT-LCD)
AUO was formed in September 2001 by the merger of Acer Display Technology, Inc.,(the former of AUO, established in 1996 ) and Unipac Optoelectronics Corporation. In October 2006, AUO merged with Quanta Display Inc. to create a larger TFT-LCD manufacturer with 20% of the world's large-sized TFT-LCD market. Additionally, the amassed production of company's G5 and G6 reached worldwide top 1 respectively.
AUO provides customers a full range of panel sizes and comprehensive applications, offering TFT-LCD panels in sizes ranging from 1.5 inches to greater than 46 inches. AUO generated US$6.6 billion in sales revenue in 2005 and now houses the staff of over 42,000 employees throughout its global operations spreading across Taiwan, the US, Japan, Europe, South Korea, the Netherlands and China. Additionally, AUO is the first pure TFT-LCD manufacturer to successfully list at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In 2004, AUO is ranked 17th in Business Week's "Global IT Companies" and is a leader in Taiwan's optronics industry.
AUO is the worldwide largest manufacturer of large-sized TFT-LCD panels in the world with a market share of over 20%(a). AUO's desktop TFT-LCD is ranked No.1 while notebook TFT-LCD and LCD TV TFT-LCD are both ranked second in terms of global market share(a). As for small-to-medium sized TFT-LCD panels, both AUO's digital video camera, digital still camera and general AV TFT-LCDs are ranked second in global market share(b).
AUO is the first TFT-LCD manufacturer in Taiwan to mass produce TFT-LCD panels by means of G3.5, G4, G5, G6 and G7.5 Fabrications. In response to the trend towards larger-sized TFT-LCD TVs in the market, AUO's G7.5 fabrication located in the Central Taiwan Science Park has begun volume production with a monthly capacity to process 10,000 glass substrates in the size of 1,950mm x 2,250mm by end of 2006, and is expected to reach full capacity of 60,000 glass substrates per month in the future. AUO has major competitive advantages with its comprehensive product lines, allowing for maximum flexibility in producing LCD TV panels. After its recent merger with Quanta Display Inc., AUO will leverage the core competency advantages of both sides to not only increase production capacity but also better seize ever-shifting market opportunities.
- Note:
(a). Amassed market share of AUO and QDI, based on DisplaySearch Large Area Unit Shipment Q3 2006 Report. (b). Source: TSR medium/small size TFT-LCD (a-Si + LTPS), Q3 2006 Report.
