LG Display has indicated that it may purchase LCD equipment from a Samsung affiliate, Semes. If the surprising revelation, reported by The Chosun Ilbo, is true then it marks a departure from semiconductor and LCD manufacturers’ usual reluctance to do business with rivals.
Semes was founded in 1993 and manufactures equipment for use in the semiconductor and flat panel display industries. According to the Korean daily newspaper, it is 63.7 per cent owned by Samsung.
The Chosun Ilbo says manufacturers reluctance to work source components from rival brands stemmed from fears of technology leaks. The newspaper did add that any purchase would not happen immediately as LG Display has already acquired much of the equipment it needs for its eighth LCD production line in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.