Greater China continues to be the manufacturing hub for flat-panel TVs. Makers in the region already supply almost half of the flat-panel TVs produced worldwide. But more suppliers are ramping up production for the export market, vastly complicating your sourcing job.

Executive Summary:

The flat-panel TV industry in Greater China-spanning mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan-is expected to supply almost half of the flat-panel TVs produced worldwide.

The flat-panel TV industry in Greater China-spanning mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan-is expected to supply almost half of the flat-panel TVs produced worldwide.

Suppliers in the region are estimated to manufacture close to 38 million flat-panel TVs in 2007.

Exports are also rising steeply, with sales projected to reach US$3.5 billion in 2007, more than double the estimated US$1.3 billion revenue in the previous year.

Increased worldwide digitalization of TV broadcasts, particularly in high-definition quality, is the primary industry driver. Other factors fueling growth include reducing product prices and enhancement of product features.

In response to the high demand, flat-panel TV suppliers across Greater China are expanding their production capacity. Some are even setting up production lines in overseas markets.

The LCD TV line will lead the Greater China industry, due mainly to rising global demand and a decline in panel costs. The plasma TV line, in turn, will also grow steadily, as more plasma panel suppliers increase their capacity.

Globally, the LCD TV sector is expected to account for 33 percent and the plasma TV sector for 6.7 percent of the TV market in 2007, projected to reach 195.7 million units or an increase by 2 percent from 2006. By 2010, about 65 percent of the aggregate sales of TVs worldwide of more than 200 million units, will come from the flat-panel TV line.

This sourcing report covers 40 makers of LCD and plasma TVs: 30 from mainland China, four from Hong Kong and six from Taiwan. These companies represent more than half of mainland China’s and Hong Kong’s suppliers and 30 percent of Taiwan’s suppliers.

These companies provided information and forecasts on manufacturing, export, sales and product development, from which the following findings were drawn: • Greater China’s flat-panel TV industry consists of small, medium-size and large suppliers. Nineteen percent of surveyed companies have an annual output of more than 900,000 units; 25 percent with 300,000 to 900,000 units; and 56 percent with less than 300,000 units. The majority, or 64 percent, of these makers entered the line in the last three to six years. 
• LCD TVs still dominate the flat-panel TV output of Greater China makers. These are available in 14in to 55in models. Only a few companies manufacture plasma TVs, which are offered in up to 65in models. 
• Although LCD TVs in 32in models will continue to dominate overseas shipments, exports of 40in and 42in LCD TVs are expected to increase.
• Product development toward high definition (HD) is moving to high gear. About half of featured products have a resolution of 1366×768 pixels.
• Output projections are bullish, with 53 percent of makers forecasting increases of at least 20 percent.
• Most makers will expand their production capacity with additional production lines and new factories. Some companies are also setting up production facilities overseas in proximity to their target markets.
• To further boost their capacity and ensure steady display panel supply, some makers are planning the construction of in-house panel production lines while others have forged strategic partnerships with major panel suppliers.
• Prices are expected to decrease in the next 12 months with the declining costs of raw materials and components, particularly large-sized flat panels and chipsets.
This sourcing report comprises an Industry Overview section, company profiles, product gallery and supplier index. The Industry Overview has the following sections:

The Industry Background provides a macro view of the Greater China industry, identifying manufacturing hubs, types of products available, exports, growth drivers and challenges.

The Manufacturing Capability section discusses the typical production processes involved in flat-panel TV manufacture. It tackles key components, their costs and supply.

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