NEC ramps up flat panel output

NEC is to open a new LCD production line in its Kagoshima plant in western Japan at a cost of 10 billion yen (around £58 million). The plant will churn out some 25,000 14in TFT colour LCD's per year. They will go to NEC and NEC Kagoshima - the local subsidiary. The 14in TFT colour panels are beginning to feature in thin monitors for standard desktop computers as well as traditional laptop machines. This plant is NEC's second in Kagoshima, and its fourth overall - joining another two lines at NEC Akita. The total production capacity of 220,000 screens per year. Full production is expected to begin in April 2000. ®