Mass Production of Highly Reflective LCD (Super Mobile LCD) Announced
In September, the mass production of the HR-TFT (High Reflective) Super Mobile LCD was announced (production began in January of the following year). This new type of LCD uses 1/7 the power, and is 1/3 the thickness and 1/2 the weight of conventional transmissive LCDs. This display is also capable of displaying sharp color images even under direct sunlight.
This type of eco-friendly display is ideal for increasingly popular mobile equipment because it provides greater portability and longer battery life.
Environmental Protection Group Launched
In October, Sharp launched the Environmental Protection Group under the slogan "a people- and environment-friendly company". The 3G1R strategy was started companywide. (The three Gs stand for Green products, Green factories, Green mind, and the one R stands for Recycling business.) Sharp is aiming to become the No.1 environmentally responsible company from product planning, factory operation, and work processing to employee actions, and is promoting operations to that end.
First Production Company in Central America Established in Mexico
In November, Sharp announced the establishment of SEMEX (Sharp Electronica Mexico S.A. de C.V.), a manufacturing company in Rosarito, Mexico, to produce color TVs and home appliances. Production began in November 1998, and the color TVs and vacuum cleaners produced at the plant are sold in Mexico, North America, and Central and South America.
New Sales Company Established in the UAE
In December, sales company Sharp Middle East Free Zone Establishment (SMEF) was established in the free trade zone in Dubai, UAE, to strengthen sales and service activities in the Middle East and Africa. This is part of Sharp's 4-region strategy, in which Sharp aims to enter new markets (rapidly growing markets in China, the Middle East, Central and South America, and Central and Eastern Europe).