For related article see Feedback From Fujitsu "Fujitsu's 42-inch Color PDP Gathers Momentum"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Miyazaki, Japan November 28, 1996 --- Fujitsu Limited today announced that it has become the world's first company to begin commercial shipments of 42 inch large-screen color plasma display screens. The Fujitsu ImageSite (TM) large-screen color plasma display panels are now being mass produced at the Miyazaki Plant of wholly owned subsidiary, Kyushu Fujitsu Electronics, Ltd.

Based on Fujitsu's proprietary color plasma display panel (PDP) technology, ImageSite is the world's first commercial large-screen color PDP, a display device which is expected to replace cathode ray tubes as the next generation television display. Fujitsu has been making sample shipments of its pioneering ImageSite 42-inch PDP since it was announced in August 1995. Volume production began in October, with the completion of the Miyazaki facility, and actual commercial shipments to customers began earlier this month.

The Miyazaki Plant has more than a decade of technological know-how and manufacturing experience, originally opened in 1985 as a semiconductor test and assembly operation. The Miyazaki Plant was completely renovated to accommodate the new product line. Occupying a four-story building with a total floor area of 18,000 square meters, the 42-inch ImageSite production line is fully automated, from the front end of the manufacturing cycle of large flat glass panel processing to the back end steps, including panel assembly, sealing process and the mounting of the driver circuitry.

The highly integrated line will have a monthly capacity of 10,000 42-inch ImageSite units, making it the world's first bona fide mass production facility of large plasma display screens. The Miyazaki Plant is also distinguished by its comprehensive production control system, under which all materials management, manufacturing process management and quality control management are computer controlled, thereby enabling real time monitoring of process and quality control information.

Initial production of 42-inch ImageSite panels, begun in October, is about 3,000 units per month and is expected to rise to the 10,000 unit/month level in fiscal 1997. Moreover, in a second phase of investment totaling 40 billion yen, the company will construct a additional building at the Miyazaki factory with a new line capable of processing glass panels in excess of 70 inches. By the completion of the second phase of investment, Fujitsu's total production capacity to a level equivalent to 100,000 ImageSite units per month by the year 2000.

The potential market for color plasma display panels is extremely promising. Currently, the overall display market comprises an estimated 100 million units per year for television use and 50 million units for personal computer monitors. ImageSite will primarily target customers in these markets. Already, three companies (Grundig and Philips of the Netherlands and Fujitsu General of Japan) have announced television or home theater products incorporating Fujitsu's ImageSite technology. Currently, 23 other companies are evaluating ImageSite for use in their products.

With a wide range of ImageSite products, Fujitsu believes that the color PDP market will occupy a strong position in the overall display market. Fujitsu has already commercialized a 21-inch VGA PDP for information devices and 42-inch PDPs for large-screen TVs. Larger size SXGA displays monitors for personal computers and workstations in the 20 to 25-inch range and 42 to 55-inch HDTV displays for wall hanging televisions are currently under development. For television displays, it is forecasted that large-screen TVs will comprise 30% of the overall market, and that the color PDP market will aggressively expand within this market segment. This includes not only 42 to 55-inch HDTV products but also products reflecting trends in Europe and North America toward larger, wider displays for various existing broadcast standards.

Recognizing the strategic importance of color PDPs in the multimedia age, Fujitsu is building upon its technological and product commercialization leadership through aggressive investment and a push to make ImageSite the de facto industry standard. Through expansion of its mass production, the company is seeking to offer large-screen color PDP televisions at a price of 10,000 yen/inch by the year 2000.

Kyushu Fujitsu Electronics, Ltd.

Established: Capitalization: Production: Employees: Miyazaki Plant Opened: Employees: Site: Floor Area:

June 1978 1 billion yen ICs, ImageSite color PDPs 1,500 June 1985 500 196,000 square meters 18,000 square meters

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Background Information on Fujitsu and Plasma Display Panels

Fujitsu's 21 inch screens are used in television sets, computers and information terminals in such locations as the New York Stock Exchange and the bullet train platforms of Tokyo's Central Train Station. Fujitsu's 42-inch full color PDP was shown at the Olympics in Atlanta and is currently being used by CBS Evening News for remote interviews. The 42-inch "TV-on-the-wall," was also used by Westinghouse/CBS for the first over-the-air broadcast of high-definition television (HDTV) featuring a solid-state silicon carbide transmitter developed by Westinghouse.

Fujitsu: Leading the way in plasma display technology

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