Move Enhances Services and Responsiveness for Mainland China Customers
HSINCHU, Sept. 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) announced the grand opening of its Xiamen manufacturing facility, the second China production base that manufactures small- medium- and large-sized LCD modules. This new manufacturing facility will provide more responsive service to customers in the South China region and offer more extensive support to the fast-growing economic development of the Xiamen Special Economic Zone.
Since entering the China market in 2002, AUO has steadily increased its business and services in line with the company's overall global growth strategy. The new Xiamen manufacturing facility is a vital part of AUO's global manufacturing operation system, enabling AUO to respond more rapidly and provide undiluted focus on the needs of its customers. AUO is looking forward to the tremendous business growth of its Xiamen manufacturing facility, which will provide easily accessible support for customers in Xiamen and surrounding areas.
"As China continues to shape the global economic landscape, our Mainland China customers must have access to real-time and immediate support in order to be competitive and continue to grow their businesses," said Mr. K.Y. Lee, Chairman of AU Optronics Corp. "We recognized China's potential many years ago and have steadily increased our investment in the market over the past six years. The establishment of our Xiamen manufacturing facility strengthens our commitment to the dynamic China marketplace and complements our current global manufacturing and logistical operations."
"Xiamen is one of the most economically dynamic cities in Fujian Province, and offers great potential. We are confident of the future development of the Xiamen manufacturing facility based on AUO's global manufacturing operations system in South China region and the outstanding achievements scored so far," said Mr. Fred Hsieh, General Manager of AU Optronics (Xiamen) Corp. "We greatly appreciate the Xiamen Government's commitment to expanding business opportunities by increasing access to markets. Xiamen ranks high among other locations with an excellent combination of infrastructure, land- sea- and-air traffic networks, geographic location and weather conditions."
"We will devote ourselves to continual service and product improvement to better serve our customers in the South China region; we will provide our staff with training and other opportunities for career development; we will conduct ourselves as good corporate citizens and contribute to community development," Mr. Fred Hsieh added.
With a building area of 250,000 square meters, AUO's Xiamen manufacturing facility, located at Xiamen Torch Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, began volume production in April 2007. It is estimated that by the end of 2007 production capacity may reach 500,000 units per month for large-sized LCD modules and 5,000,000 units per month for small-and -medium sized LCD modules. With the joining of AUO Xiamen in LCD-module manufacturing, production capacity will increase by 50% for both China's monthly TV module capacity and small-and-medium sized LCD module capacity. AUO currently employs a total of approximately 3,500 employees in Xiamen.
Pictures for the above news release can be downloaded from AUO corporate website URL: http://auo.com/auoDEV/pressroom.php?sec=Photos&ls=en
Any use of photographs must cite the source thereof is from AU Optronics Corporation
ABOUT AU OPTRONICS
AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO") is one of the top three largest manufacturers* of large-size thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels ("TFT-LCD"), with approximately 20.2%* of global market share with revenues of NT$293.1billion (US$9.0bn)* in 2006. TFT-LCD technology is currently the most widely used flat panel display technology. Targeted for 40"+ sized LCD TV panels, AUO's new generation (7.5-generation) fabrication facility production started mass production in the fourth quarter of 2006. The Company currently operates one 7.5-generation, two 6th-generation, four 5th-generation, one 4th-generation, and four 3.5-generation TFT- LCD fabs, in addition to eight module assembly facilities and the AUO Technology Center specializes in new technology platform and new product development. AUO is one of few top-tier TFT-LCD manufacturers capable of offering a wide range of small- to large- size (1.5"-65") TFT-LCD panels, which enables it to offer a broad and diversified product portfolio.
-- DisplaySearch 2Q2007 WW Large-Area TFT-LCD Shipment Report dated Aug 7, 2007. This data is used as reference only and AUO does not make any endorsement or representation in connection therewith. 2006 year end revenue converted by an exchange rate of NTD32.59:USD1.
Safe Harbour Notice
AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO), the world's third largest 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 1st, 2006.
