Sharp in licensing talks as it tries to cut costs

Electronics group Sharp is in talks over licensing Taiwanese and Turkish firms to make and sell its home appliances in Europe, a source with knowledge of the discussions said, as it tries to cut costs to counter stagnant sales on the Continent.

The Japanese company is talking to Taiwanese firm TPV Technology over the rights to manufacture and sell its LCD TVs in Europe, the source said. The discussions have touched upon a sale of Sharp’s TV factory in Poland.

Sharp is also talking to Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret, a group company of Turkish electronics firm Vestel, about a licence to sell its white goods in Europe.

The source, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the discussions, said the talks were at an early stage and nothing had been decided. – (Reuters)