LG Display, Samsung in LCD deal

seoul — LG Display Co has scored a deal to supply television displays to rival Samsung Electronics Co from as soon as this year, people with direct knowledge of the matter said.

LG Display, a major supplier of panels to Apple Inc, will replace a venture between Sharp Corp and Foxconn Technology Group as a supplier to the world’s biggest TV maker, said the people, who asked not to be identified because details of their agreement haven’t been released. LG Display and Samsung reiterated comments from earlier this month that they are in talks on LCD supply without elaborating.

A supply agreement between LG Display and Samsung would be a first for the longtime South Korean rivals who have never used each others panels before. Sakai Display Products Corp, controlled by Sharp and Foxconn, has cut back supply of LCD screens to other TV makers, a move that may foster a panel supply shortage and further accelerate a rally in display prices. Supply may remain tight well into next year, benefiting LG Display and other panel makers, said Chung Won-suk, an analyst at HI Investment & Securities Co in Seoul.

“The abrupt supply halt by Sharp will have a domino effect on other TV makers from Samsung to Sony,” he said. But LG may not be able to boost production quickly enough to offset Sharp’s absence. “That will cause the supply shortage to persist throughout the year and help sustain the price rally at least until the first quarter.”

The Sakai venture provided as many as four million large TV panels annually to Samsung and is increasing display sales to Chinese manufacturers, the people said. LG will supply as many as three million LCD panels to Samsung this year, one of the people said. — Bloomberg