AUO Corporation ("AUO") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced the grand opening of its Xiamen manufacturing facility, the second China production base that manufactures small- medium- and large-sized LCD modules. This new manufacturing facility will provide more responsive service to customers in the South China region and offer more extensive support to the fast-growing economic development of the Xiamen Special Economic Zone.
Since entering the China market in 2002, AUO has steadily increased its business and services in line with the company’s overall global growth strategy. The new Xiamen manufacturing facility is a vital part of AUO’s global manufacturing operation system, enabling AUO to respond more rapidly and provide undiluted focus on the needs of its customers. AUO is looking forward to the tremendous business growth of its Xiamen manufacturing facility, which will provide easily accessible support for customers in Xiamen and surrounding areas.
“As China continues to shape the global economic landscape, our Mainland China customers must have access to real-time and immediate support in order to be competitive and continue to grow their businesses,” said Mr. K.Y. Lee, Chairman of AUO Corporation “We recognized China’s potential many years ago and have steadily increased our investment in the market over the past six years. The establishment of our Xiamen manufacturing facility strengthens our commitment to the dynamic China marketplace and complements our current global manufacturing and logistical operations.”
“Xiamen is one of the most economically dynamic cities in Fujian Province, and offers great potential. We are confident of the future development of the Xiamen manufacturing facility based on AUO’s global manufacturing operations system in South China region and the outstanding achievements scored so far,” said Mr. Fred Hsieh, General Manager of AU Optronics (Xiamen) Corp. “We greatly appreciate the Xiamen Government’s commitment to expanding business opportunities by increasing access to markets. Xiamen ranks high among other locations with an excellent combination of infrastructure, land- sea- and-air traffic networks, geographic location and weather conditions.”
“We will devote ourselves to continual service and product improvement to better serve our customers in the South China region; we will provide our staff with training and other opportunities for career development; we will conduct ourselves as good corporate citizens and contribute to community development,” Mr. Fred Hsieh added.
With a building area of 250,000 square meters, AUO’s Xiamen manufacturing facility, located at Xiamen Torch Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, began volume production in April 2007. It is estimated that by the end of 2007 production capacity may reach 500,000 units per month for large-sized LCD modules and 5,000,000 units per month for small-and –medium sized LCD modules. With the joining of AUO Xiamen in LCD-module manufacturing, production capacity will increase by 50% for both China’s monthly TV module capacity and small-and-medium sized LCD module capacity. AUO currently employs a total of approximately 3,500 employees in Xiamen.