Sharp Corp, a
supplier of screens for Apple’s iPad tablet, has slowed production of the 9.7
inch panes used for the full-sized iPads, according to a report by Reuters.
The news
agency quotes industry sources with knowledge of Sharp’s production plans,
who told it that Sharp’s iPad screen production line at its Kameyama plant in
central Japan has “fallen to the minimal level to keep the line running
this month after a gradual slowdown began at the end of 2012 as Apple manages
its inventory”.
A Sharp
spokeswoman declined to comment on the story, telling Reuters: “We don’t
disclose production levels.” Apple also declined to comment.
It’s unclear
whether the slowdown is due to seasonal changes in demand — or consumers opting
for the cheaper and smaller iPad mini instead. Apple launched the iPad mini in November. The tablet has a 7.9
inch display, and retails from $329. Apple has not broken out iPad mini
sales — but shortly after launching the small slate it said it had sold three million iPad minis and 4th
generation (full size) iPads in three days.
In addition to
Sharp, Reuters notes that Apple buys iPad screens from LG Display — its biggest
supplier — and Samsung Display. A source at Samsung Display told it there
had not been any significant change in its panel business with Apple. A
person familiar with the situation at LG Display told Reuters that iPad screen
production in the current quarter had fallen from the previous quarter ending
in December — but said it was mainly due to typical weak seasonal in the
post-holiday period.
Apple is due
to report its Q1 2013 fiscal results on January 23. [TechCrunch]
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