AU Optronics
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| Type | Public (NYSE: AUO) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer peripherals |
| Founded | December 2001[1] |
| Headquarters | Hsinchu, Taiwan |
| Key people | Kuen-Yao Lee |
| Revenue |  $16 billion USD (2010) |
| Employees | 43,500 |
| Parent | BenQ |
| Website | auo.com |
AU Optronics (AUO) was formed in December 2001 by the merger of Acer Display Technology(the former of AUO, established in 1996) and Unipac Optoelectronics Corporation by BenQ Electronics. In October 2006, AUO merged with Quanta Display Inc. to create a leading TFT-LCD manufacturer. Additionally, the production of the company's G6 operation reached #1 worldwide. AUO manufactures TFT panels for companies like Samsung, LG, Dell, Apple, Viewsonic, Acer, etc.
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[edit] History
AU Optronics (AUO) is the first manufacturer in Taiwan to mass produce TFT-LCD panels by means of G3.5, G4, G5, G6,G7.5 and G8.5 fabrications, and the G8.5 fab entered mass production in June 2009. As one of the leading TFT-LCD manufacturers, AUO is a technology innovator with strong emphasis on research and development on display technologies. Since 2002, AUO has been the leader in patent applications among Taiwan's flat panel industry. AUO extended its market to the green energy industry in late 2008, and formally founded its Solar Photovoltaic Business Unit in October 2009.
The company is also planning on building a 7.5-generation LCD generation plant in Kunshan, China in an effort to set up production bases in China,[1] and received government approval from Taiwan on December 17, 2010.[2] Restrictions on investment in China were lifted in February 2010, as long as more advanced technologies are produced at home (such as AUO's 8.5-generation plant in Taichung).[2]
In December 2010, the EU fined AU Optronics for its part in an LCD price fixing scheme, ordering the company to pay a €116.8 million fine.[3] Other companies fined included LG Display, Chimei Innolux Corporation, Chunghwa Picture Tubes Limited, and HannStar Display Corporation.[4] The company has stated that it will appeal the fine, but does not expect the decision to affect its operations.[5]
In 2010, the company built two more manufacturing facilities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It also formed joined ventures with TPV Technology, Ltd. based in Hong Kong. In 2011, AU Optronics announced plans to recruit 3,000 employees for its solar technology and display businesses.[6] Following the earthquake in Japan on March 11, 2011, the company suspended production at its Japanese solar wafer unit, M. Setek Co., to assess potential quake damage.[7]
In June 2011, two of the company's factories (a 8.5-generation factory at the Central Taiwan Science Park and a TV module plant in Suzhou) became the first factories in the world to obtain ISO 50001 certification.[8]
[edit] Products
AUO provides a full range of panel sizes ranging from 1.2 inches (30 mm) to greater than 65 inches (1,700 mm). AUO generated US$14.8 billion in sales revenue in 2007 and now employs 43,000 throughout its global operations in Taiwan, the United States, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and China. Additionally, AUO was the first pure TFT-LCD manufacturer to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
According to the Taipei Times, AU Optronics won a "gold" award for having a green factory. One of four factories in the world to comply with the LEED gold standard, the 8.5 generation facility boasts a water recycling rate of 90%, equal to 3 million tonnes of tap water a year. They have wind-powered generators built into ventilation shafts, and they have stated that they are willing to share this technology with other green-minded factories. They hope to become carbon-neutral next year.[9] In addition, the company aims to recruit hundreds of employees from overseas to work on green technologies.[10]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Standing, Jonathan (2010-12-11). "Taiwan to OK AU Optronics China plant late Dec-report". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTOE6BB00120101212. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
- ^ a b Ong, Janet; Lin, Adela (2010-12-17). "AU to Build $3 Billion LCD Factory in China, Taiwan's First, as Ties Warm". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-17/taiwan-approves-au-optronics-s-application-to-build-lcd-factory-in-china.html. Retrieved 2010-12-17.
- ^ Aoife White (2010-12-08). "LCD-Panel Makers Fined $649 Million by European Union for Price Fixing". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-08/six-lcd-panel-makers-fined-649-million-by-european-union-for-price-fixing.html. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ Joaquín Almunia Vice President of the European Commission responsible for Competition Policy Press conference on LCD cartel, Visa and French chemists' association decisions Press conference Brussels, 8 December 2010
- ^ "Taiwan's AU Optronics to appeal EU fine". The China Post. 2010-12-10. http://www.chinapost.com.tw/business/asia/b-taiwan/2010/12/10/283104/Taiwans-AU.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ "AUO to expand workforce for display, solar sectors". Focus Taiwan News Channel. 2011-03-04. http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aECO&ID=201103040011. Retrieved 2011-03-05.
- ^ "AUO assesses damage to LCD panel supply chain". Taipei Times. 2011-03-14. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2011/03/14/2003498108. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- ^ "AUO becomes first manufacturer to obtain ISO-50001". Taipei Times. 2011-06-24. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2011/06/24/2003506522. Retrieved 2011-06-23.
- ^ http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2009/03/21/2003439022
- ^ "AUO to recruit research manpower from overseas". Focus Taiwan News Channel. 2011-01-26. http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aECO&ID=201101260048. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
[edit] External links
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