By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
Samsung Group has established an emergency unit inside its strategic planning office in the aftermath of the recent Sony-Sharp deal.
``I heard that Samsung Group has been operating a special unit to study the effects of the latest Sony-Sharp alliance on the group’s key flagship, Samsung Electronics,’’ a group official told The Korea Times, Monday.
The official, who asked not to be identified, said the task force has been reviewing the situation, capitalizing on the ``three key matters’’ ― possible effects on the Samsung Electronics business in Japan, additional alliances in the LCD business apart from the Sony-Sharp deal and ways to strengthen ties with Sony.
The remarks came after Samsung Electronics CEO Yun Jong-yong urged Samsung employees earlier in the day to clarify the ``target clients’’ in response to the growing ``needs’’ of consumers.
``We should remain consistent by maintaining our image as a company with strong brand power and lower prices than those of our rivals,’’ Yun said in his regular monthly message.
According to insiders from Samsung Electronics, worries have risen since Sony’s announcement with Sharp to jointly produce next-generation crystal display panels. They say Samsung’s business-to-business (B2B) in Japan dealing with segments of semiconductors and crystal displays could be hurt.
``Speculation is running high that Toshiba, the world’s No. 2 flash memory chip producer, is considering expanding their chip supply to Sony,’’ a Samsung Electronics official said.
Samsung has been concentrating its energy on the B2B sector in Japan since the company officially abandoned its consumer electronics business in the world’s most tech-savvy country last November.
``What’s important is that we should not capitalize on the liquid crystal displays (LCD) sector, which means that Samsung needs to maintain a healthy partnership with Sony as the Japanese TV set maker is abundant in cash,’’ another Samsung official said.
While experts say the most likely strategic response for Samsung Electronics is to accelerate efforts to attract new customers like its local rival LG Display, Sony President Ryoji Chubachi emphasized the joint venture, S-LCD, will remain as a key supplier of LCD panels for Sony.
To realize their past glories, Japanese TV manufacturers have formed a united front to overcome Samsung Electronics, which has yet to decide on its detailed investment plans this year due to the latest bribery scandal involving almost all Samsung affiliates.