Pioneer details Blu-ray strategies

[Grubert]

Press release

Most of the release involves the restructuring of its display business, which doesn't belong here. If you want to discuss that, we have a topic here.

However, some of their 'measures to enhance corporate value' have to do with Blu-ray:

We aim to compensate for cutbacks in the plasma display business by driving further expansion in our growth businesses. This will be done by shifting related personnel and other business resources to the Car Electronics business; the professional sound & visual (Pro SV) business, which involves DJ equipment; and the audio/video product business, including Blu-ray Disc related products. […]


II. Measures to Enhance Corporate Value

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2. Restoring Profitability in the Home Electronics Business
In the Home Electronics business, Pioneer is focused on improving profitability by expanding sales of audio/video products linked with displays and by growing sales of Blu-ray Disc-related products.

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With regards to Blu-ray Disc-related products, Pioneer will concentrate internal product development on Blu-ray Disc players, which are expected to find growing adoption worldwide. Meanwhile, we will use joint development and outsourcing to enhance our lineup of Blu-ray Disc recorders and other products. Furthermore, we aim to grow external sales of Blu-ray Disc devices through package sales that combine such devices with platforms for Blu-ray Disc players and recorders.

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Through these initiatives and the aforementioned restructuring plans for the display business, Pioneer aims to improve profitability in the Home Electronics business, moving it back into the black in fiscal 2010.

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4. Progress on Business Alliance with Sharp Corporation
As part of a comprehensive business and capital alliance formed by Pioneer and Sharp Corporation in 2007, the two companies are conducting joint product development by making effective use of each other’s resources in their respective fields of expertise. The overriding goal is to enhance the corporate value of both companies.

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In the optical disc field, Pioneer and Sharp have agreed to join forces to expand their respective Blu-ray Disc-related product businesses. This step takes the alliance beyond merely supplying existing products such as DVD players and DVD recorders to each other. Joint development of pickups and drives for Blu-ray Disc players/recorders, will bolster the two companies’ vertically integrated business models spanning devices to end products. Cost reductions resulting from more efficient development and volume growth will in turn contribute to business expansion. Here too, Pioneer and Sharp are resolved to build even stronger ties by efficiently conducting joint development.

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The concrete achievements of these initiatives will be showcased at CEATEC JAPAN 2008 this fall and at various product presentations.