LG and iRiver create joint venture for eBook Reader design and production

[Dulin's Books]

This new Joint venture will have LG providing displays and cash while the iRiver contingent provides platform development and hardware design. They will create readers for the iRiver brand as well as for rebranding by other companies.

Sounds like Netronix/Pocketbook is going to get some competition. With direct access to LG epd displays the the newly form "L&I Electronic Technology (Dongguan) Ltd" should have a considerable pricing advantage.

LG expects through this new joint venture, to bring color and flexible displays to market and be no. 1 in the market by 2012.

Hmm. will this outfit be the one producing skiff?


http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/14/l...-book-readers/

Press Release

Iriver – LG Display
Establish joint venture for e-book business

- Iriver and LG Display financed a total of 5 million dollars to establish a joint-venture company in Iriver's China Plant
- Operating an ODM and OEM system to manufacture e-book reader
- Develop and produce leading e-book readers in the global market by generating synergy in the technology and manufacturing aspects

Iriver and LG Display have agreed to establish a joint venture company, 'L&I Electronic Technology (Dongguan) Ltd.' in China to expand their e-book business.

Each Iriver and LG Display will finance 49% and 51% of the joint venture company, respectively, totaling up to 5 million dollars. The business will be founded on original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and original development manufacturing (ODM) systems to develop e-books and provide production services.

Iriver is responsible for product design, accumulated knowledge on e-book technology, including designs and platform development, as well as technical assistance within the joint-venture. And Iriver will be the first customer for the joint venture. LG Display, with its global sales network and world class production skills, will be in charge of providing a stable supply of e-book displays, such as electronic paper displays (EPD) to the joint venture.

Iriver expects to gain a stronger market presence in both the domestic and global e-book markets as it will gain a price competitive e-book reader supplier from the new relationship. The prospect for LG Display also seems bright. It will stand out from its competitors by securing a stable distribution line for its e-book displays, while also making its debut in the final product business.

Jae Woo Lee, CEO of Iriver, said, "The joint-venture is significant in that it lays the foundation for a more stable and competitive manufacturing line. If we succeed in generating a synergy between Iriver and LG Display, our joint-venture company will grow to become the market leader with unrivaled competitive power in e-book development and production business.

LG Display's Executive Vice President and Head of Mobile/OLED Business Unit Mr. Eddie Yeo said, "LG Display decided to establish a joint venture with iriver to supply customers with more competitive products as part of our upstream-downstream business transformation strategy. LG Display will utilize its advanced EPD technologies to achieve early commercial production of color and flexible EPD and reach the global No.1 position by 2012."

[speedtouch]

Sweet, two of my favorite Korean companies teaming up together. I am sure the results will be good. Thanks for the info.