As part of its on-going initiative to enhance its manufacturing efficiency to improve the profitability of its liquid crystal display TV business, Sony today announced that it would sell the Barcelona technology center, which manufactures LCD TVs for the Europe region, to Ficosa and COMSA EMTE. With this transaction, the Barcelona technology center will be divided into two new companies, one focusing on manufacturing and the other focusing on development and engineering. The manufacturing company will be wholly-owned and operated by Ficosa, while the development and engineering company will be a 50:50 joint venture between Ficosa and COMSA EMTE. Between them, the new companies intend to assume employment of the majority of employees at the Barcelona technology center.

Sony will source LCD TV production to the new manufacturing company for two years after completion of the transfer. Both the new manufacturing and engineering companies will concurrently develop new businesses.

The transfer is planned to be completed by the end of December 2010, subject to certain regulatory and other approvals.