Syntax-Brillian said this week it would participate in yet another strategic alliance with a consortium of Asian-based companies to accelerate expansion of Olevia brand LCD HD-SD sets in China and the Pacific Rim.
Nanjing Huahai Display Technology Ltd., as the new venture is called, will produce the full line of Olevia LCD models in Nanjing. The co-op scheme also plans to conduct R & D and market Olevia products (also known as "Syntax-Olevia") throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Headquartered in Tempe, Ariz., Syntax-Brillian is banking heavily on the Olevia brand to boost its standing and its revenue in the market, according to published reports. Earlier this month, the firm signed a separate strategic agreement with LG.Philips LCD to obtain more LCD panels for TV manufacturing (HD Notebook, March 22, 2006).
Although only small percentage of Chinese homes today has TV of any kind or other modern telecommunications, that growing slice of affluent CE consumers in the world's most populous nation is still huge. For example, China's broadband Internet users are now estimated to be approaching 115 million.
The Nanjing plant is scheduled to begin production in July, with an initial output of 150,000 units (mostly HD) before the end of 2006. Annual capacity likely will expand to 300,000 units in 2007.
