HSINCHU, Taiwan, Sep. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ --
AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced that following its inclusion in Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for the first time in 2010, the Company has been again named as a member of DJSI World this year, and a member of DJSI Asia/Pacific for three straight years. AUO is currently the only pure TFT-LCD manufacturer worldwide to have held this record, accentuating the Company's presence as one of the leading sustainability-driven companies in the world.
The DJSI assesses the sustainability performance of companies in their economic, environmental, and social dimensions. AUO stood out as one of the 342 DJSI World components out of the world's 2,500 largest companies evaluated. Among all 57 sectors of DJSI World, AUO is categorized under the Computer Hardware & Electronic Office Equipment (THQ) sector. The Company has headed the THQ sector for two consecutive years.
Noteworthy is that amid the more stringent criteria in the 2011 DJSI assessment, where special focus has been devoted to the integration of sustainability issues, AUO managed to achieve the "best scores" compared to its industry peers in terms of criteria including innovation management, climate strategy, environmental policy/management system, environmental reporting, hazardous substances, human capital development, and talent attraction & retention. This highlights AUO's persistent efforts and commitment to running an innovative, green and sustainable enterprise.
Since the inception of "AUO Green Solutions" in 2008, AUO has been a dedicated practitioner of green and sustainable operations. In 2011 alone, the Company has garnered numerous recognitions including the world's first LEED Platinum-Certified high-tech facility, the world's first manufacturer to have obtained ISO 50001 Certification, the only company in the global TFT-LCD industry to have received A+ certificate in CSR Report for four straight years, and a top 100 green companies in China for two consecutive years. In the future, the Company will continue to create long-term shareholder value by proactively fulfilling its responsibilities as a sustainable global enterprise, ensuring win-win outcomes that benefit its business, customers and environment.
Launched in 1999, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes are the first global indexes tracking the CSR performance of leading companies worldwide and are now some of the most important globally-accepted indicators in reviewing corporate sustainability. The Indexes serve as a driving force to companies in fulfilling their corporate citizenship and offer benchmarks in corporate sustainability for global investors.
ABOUT AU OPTRONICS
AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) is a global leader of thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels (TFT-LCD). AUO is able to provide customers with a full range of panel sizes and comprehensive applications, offering TFT-LCD panels in sizes ranging from 1.2 inches to greater than 71 inches. AUO generated NT$467.2 billion in sales revenue in 2010 (US$16 billion) with global operations in Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the U.S., and Europe. Additionally, AUO is the first pure TFT-LCD manufacturer to be successfully listed at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). AUO extended its market to the green energy industry in late 2008. The Display and Solar businesses were established respectively as the Company's two core businesses in October, 2010. For more information, please visit AUO.com.
* 2010 year end revenue converted at an exchange rate of NTD29.14:USD1.
Safe Harbour Notice
AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO), a global leader of TFT-LCD panels, today announced the above news. Except for statements in respect of historical matters, the statements contained in this Release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements were based on our management's expectations, projections and beliefs at the time regarding matters including, among other things, future revenues and costs, financial performance, technology changes, capacity, utilization rates, yields, process and geographical diversification, future expansion plans and business strategy. Such forward looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including risks related to the flat panel display industry, the TFT-LCD market, acceptance of and demand for our products, technological and development risks, competitive factors, and other risks described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on May 3rd, 2011.
