HSINCHU, Dec. 30 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced the establishment of its "Energy Project Office" directly under the supervision of the President’s office, marking an official statement of its holistic approach to green energy solutions. Extending from manufacturing green panels, AUO’s "Energy Project Office" will devote efforts in green energy solutions and plans to set up a pilot line in AUO Taichung site, in a bid to proactively fulfill the Company’s corporate social responsibility by striving for a better living environment for future generations.
Ever since disclosing "AUO Green Solutions" early this year, AUO has registered remarkable records in seven major areas: Green DNA, Green Innovations, Green Procurement, Green Production, Green Logistics, Green Service and Green Recycling. In addition, AUO’s new vision for the next decade "Bright Innovation, Amazing Life" also acts as a catalyst to inspire employees to create amazing lives for people by innovative thinking, and to love our planet by fulfilling "AUO Green Solutions". The establishment of AUO’s "Energy Project Office "marks another proactive move in protecting the environment by offering green energy solutions in addition to the Company’s longstanding efforts in reducing waste and energy consumption. The office represents a major leap forward in realizing this vision.
To address global warming issues that have been induced by traditional fossil-fuel energy, AUO, thus, proactively seeks solutions in clean energy as one of its main future businesses. The advantages of solar electric systems include zero green house emissions, convenience for households to install, and significant increases in energy transmission efficiency by smart grid distribution and energy storage. With its sound technology basis in the TFT-LCD sector and compatibility in numerous manufacturing processes, as well as technology maturity in thin film solar power, (converting efficiency has improved from 5-8% in the first generation to 8-10% in the second generation and even reached 10% and beyond in the third generation), AUO sees this as the right time to establish its "Energy Project Office". The Company will begin implementing these initiatives with third generation technology directly, starting with a pilot line in its Taichung site in 2009. This also marks a new forward-looking innovative operation model since the Company was founded 12 years ago.
"AUO has been working diligently in providing consumers quality visual amusement. In addition to its ongoing efforts in TFT-LCD technology, AUO is now extending its innovations into the clean energy industry, seeking a win-win situation for CSR fulfillment in protecting the environment and promising green business opportunities for the TFT-LCD industry," said Dr. LJ Chen, President and COO of AUO. "We also welcome more people and companies to join us. Together, we can strive to advance Taiwan’s green energy industry toward a more international level."
In related news, AUO successfully hosted a week-long "2008 AUO Photovoltaic Forum" in early December. The forum invited international and domestic renowned solar energy experts to share and exchange views with the AUO task force, resulting in constructive and diversified discussions, as well as many forward-looking ideas. AUO expects that these advances will in the near future help facilitate consumers to live a more advanced and eco-friendly green lifestyle.
ABOUT AU OPTRONICS
AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) is the worldwide top 3 manufacturer* of thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels (TFT-LCD). AUO is able to provide customers a full range of panel sizes and comprehensive applications, offering TFT-LCD panels in sizes ranging from 1.5 inches to greater than 65 inches. AUO generated NT$480.2 billion (US$14.8 billion) in sales revenue in 2007 and now houses a staff of more than 40,000 employees throughout its global operations spreading across Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the U.S., and Europe. Additionally, AUO is the first pure TFT-LCD manufacturer to successfully list at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). For more information, please visit AUO.com.
* DisplaySearch 3Q2008 WW Large-Area TFT-LCD Shipment Report dated October 29, 2008. This data is used as reference only and AUO does not make any endorsement or representation in connection therewith. 2007 year end revenue converted by an exchange rate of NTD32.43:USD1.
Safe Harbour Notice
AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO), the worldwide top three manufacturer of large-size 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 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 June 4th, 2008.
