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Factories & Research

Research is progress

With our activities in Research & Development we are pursuing a simple goal: to improve the standard of living for people all over the world through innovative technologies. Therefore, we invest 6.5 per cent of our net sales in over 8,000 researchers and numerous research projects and facilities all over the world.

Linear optimization and quantum leaps

Our research activities can be split into two categories. First, we are consistently working on the enhancement of existing technologies and products – that is to say, we are pursuing constant linear optimization. Moreover, we are continuously breaking new ground as pioneers with our research projects. We develop and research innovative technologies and products which are the "quantum leaps" many further applications are based on.

Research facilities

Oxford – Tradition in innovation

Our central research facilities in Europe are the Sharp Laboratories of Europe (SLE) in the Oxford Science Park. Their research activities are focused on new technologies in the area of LC displays, information technology, semiconductor laser, voice and encryption software, and applications in bio-science. The European research facilities form part of an international network of R&D centres, including those in Japan and the USA.

Kameyama II – Dream factory in "Crystal Valley"

Kameyama II is a real masterpiece, not only in terms of production technology. The world’s first LCD factory of the 8th generation is an R&D centre employing top scientists from all over the world. The high concentration of technology and know-how has had an impressive spin-off effect, with numerous companies from the liquid-crystal industry now based in the local vicinity now dubbed "Crystal Valley". The growth of this area has direct benefits for Sharp, offering opportunities for R&D synergies.

Factories

Sharp Electronics Spain S.A.

Sharp Electronics Spain S.A. was founded in Barcelona in April 1986 with the goal to be the reference plant for the manufacture of reception apparatus for television cathode ray tube for the European market.

In November 1987 production began in one plant with an annual capacity of 500,000 units, built in Sant Cugat del Valles in a new industrial development zone.

In April 1992 a new production plant opened in the same industrial zone with a capacity of 1,000,000 units.

In September 1994 it began production of fax machines, reaching an annual production of 250,000 units.

In May 2002 the first assembly line for LCD screens was inaugurated.

April 2006 marked the 20th anniversary of Sharp Electrónica España S.A.


Now:
Production capacity of 1,000,000 units.
The last half of 2008 (July-December) reached 500,000 units.

547 employees, among SEES, SMES and SESE.

The turnover of the factory last fiscal year was set at 323 million euros.

Sharp Manufacturing France SA (SMF)

Sharp Manufacturing France is a production center for digital B& W and colour laser multifunctional systems. Located in Soultz in Alsace, the site covers over 23,000 sq. metres and employs 200 people. Since its creation in 1989, Sharp Manufacturing France has produced over a million B&W and colour mulitfunctional laser printing systems. To meet customer requirements, Sharp Manufacturing France delivers custom made products directly, in a very short timeframe, to more than 1,500 destinations in 22 European countries.

Sharp Manufacturing UK (SUKM)

Located in Wrexham/Wales, the factory opened in 1984 and started with the production of video recorders and microwave ovens. Since 2004 it has been manufacturing solar modules, replacing the video recorder production. Of all Sharp’s solar module manufacturing plants around the world, Wrexham is one of the most technically advanced. Today it assembles highly advanced monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar modules for use in both residential and commercial installations.
These are not only supplied to the UK market, but exported throughout continental Europe, where there is a growing demand for the efficient solar technology offered by Sharp.
The plant won a prestigious ‘Green Apple’ award for best environmental practice, assigned by The Green Organisation.  

Sharp Manufacturing Poland (SMPL)

Sharp Manufacturing Poland Sp.z o.o. is located in the north-central part of the country near the city of Torun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated on the Vistula River. The factory began the production of LCD modules for LCD TVs in January 2007. After a construction period of only one year and an investment of some 44 million euro (six billion yen), since August 2007 the factory also manufactures Sharp AQUOS LCD TVs in addition to LCD modules. The Torun factory is a further expansion of Sharp´s global supply strategy, enabling it to service the demand for LCD TVs in the global target markets even faster and more directly. The core element of Sharp’s global supply strategy is integrated production, i.e. combining the production of LCD modules and the final LCD TV in one plant. The Polish LCD TV factory covering the European market now joins other plants in Mexico, China, Malaysia and Japan (Kameyama).

In Torun, Sharp has built not only an LCD TV factory but an entire industrial estate. The Sharp Crystal Park in Poland, is the home for  suppliers to the LCD TV production close to the Sharp factory and covers 177 hectares. Shorter transport distances mean faster supply, lower CO2 emissions and shorter delivery times.

Sakai - first tenth-generation LCD plant and world’s largest solar cell plant

Since July 2007 Sharp has been at work constructing the first tenth-generation LCD panel plant and the largest plant for thin-film solar cells in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. With these factories Sharp has combined both technology areas to create an “industrial park for the 21st century”.

Besides the two state-of-the-art plants, the 1.27 million square-metre industrial park provides room for suppliers supporting the entire production process as well as further infrastructure; providing a time and cost advantage. Furthermore, CO2 emission will be reduced due to the vertically integrated method of production.

The new LCD production centre will be the first tenth generation facility, capable of processing LCD motherglass panels to a size of 8.7 square metres (2,850 mm x 3,050 mm). This makes these motherglass panels 60 per cent larger than those in Sharp’s current eighth-generation LCD plant, Kameyama II. They can be used to manufacture six 60-inch or eight 50-inch LCD panels, for example. LCD production started in October 2009.

At the same time, the largest solar cell plant is being built next to the latest LCD plant. As one of the leading companies in the production of solar cells and modules over many years, with the new plant Sharp is launching mass production of thin film solar cells and planning a production volume of 1,000 megawatts per year.

Overview of the New Plants:

  • Location: Sakaihama District of Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture (Chikko-yawata-machi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture)
  • Site area: 1.27 million m2

LCD Panel Plant

  • Amount of investment: Approx. 380 billion yen (including land acquisition costs)
  • Start of construction: November 2007
  • Start of operations: October 2009
  • Main products: LCD panels for large-screen LCD TVs in the 40-, 50- and 60-inch class
  • Glass substrate size: 2,850 mm x 3,050 mm (10th generation) Each substrate can yield 6 panels in the 60-inch class, 8 panels in the 50-inch class, or 15 panels in the 40-inch class.
  • Input capacity: 72,000 substrates per month (initial capacity at start of operations: 36,000 substrates per month)

Solar Cell Plant

Details on investment and other factors are currently under review.
  • Start of operations: By March 2010
  • Main products: Thin-film solar cells