Plasma pioneer, Fujitsu, plans to completely exit the visual display business outside of Japan by March citing declining profitability.
“During the past several years, the pricing and profitability of this segment has compressed beyond the point which our company could realise a satisfactory return on investment,” Fujitsu said in a statement. The company said it will continue to offer support for products still under warranty, and will sell visual display products through its systems integration business in Japan. The move will mark a complete exit from the consumer electronics business outside of Japan.
Fujitsu will continue to honour warranties for existing customers
In the UK, Fujitsu previously gave up production of plasma televisions, but continued to sell plasma displays, primarily through high-end speciality A/V stores and custom installers. The company was among the first companies to make and sell plasma televisions after years of research and development.
Declining profitability, however, forced Fujitsu to sell controlling interest in the plasma television manufacturing operations in 2005 to Hitachi Ltd, a joint venture partner.