Matsushita and Hitachi unite in PDP area

On or about Feb. 7, 2005, Matsushita and Hitachi joined forces in the plasma display panel (PDP) business.

The alliance consolidates Japan’s industry in PDP — large-screen televisions which offer state-of-the-art resolution — by uniting Japan’s top player in the sector Matsushita, maker of the Panasonic brand, with number-two Hitachi.

But Matsushita and Hitachi have slipped to third and fourth respectively in worldwide sales of plasma displays beneath global number-one Samsung and second-ranked LG Electronics, both from South Korea.

This looks more and more like an inter-country battle.

A lot of the players are in New Jersey: a lot of benefits in consumer electronics growth accrued to North Jersey - where some of the largest consumer electronics companies have headquarters or major operations, including Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, LG, Samsung, JVC, Toshiba and Maxell.

In Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung is planning to occupy more floors at its headquarters building. Last year, too, the company opened its first Samsung Experience interactive showroom - which features products in technology demonstrations and does not sell products - at the Shops at Columbus Circle in New York's Time Warner Center.