To Expand Production of Digital Full-Color MFPs

Osaka, Mar 26, 2012 - (ACN Newswire) - Sharp Corporation announces that operations will begin at a newly constructed second plant at Sharp Office Equipments (Changshu) Co., Ltd. (SOCC), Sharp's subsidiary for the manufacture of office equipment located in the Changshu Economic Development Zone in Jiangsu Province, China. The start of operations at this new plant will expand production capacity for digital full-color MFPs.

Sharp launched its document systems business in 1972, and has since grown the size of its business by expanding into global markets. Production of copiers and multifunction machines is currently handled at four bases around the world (Japan, China, France, and Thailand). Among these, SOCC in China plays a central role, serving as a supply base for the entire global market.

In the future, demand for color document output is expected to increase, not only in the European and North American markets, but also in concert with economic growth in China, and it is anticipated that sales of full-color machines will grow in tandem. Accordingly, Sharp constructed a new second plant at SOCC specializing in the manufacture of digital full-color MFPs and color toner cartridges, where operations will begin in April 2012.

By increasing production capacity for digital full-color MFPs, Sharp will be working to expand its document systems business in the global marketplace.

Overview of New Plant Company name: Sharp Office Equipments (Changshu) Co., Ltd. (SOCC)Business: Manufacture and sales of office equipment and related suppliesRepresentative: Keizo Ito, PresidentLocation: Changshu Economic Development Zone, Jiangsu Province, ChinaProduction: Digital full-color MFPs, color toner cartridgesVolume: Plant No. 2: Digital full-color MFPs: 250,000 units/year (Plant Nos. 1 & 2: Total MFP production: 650,000 units/year) Capitalization: Approx. 2.5 billion yenOwnership: 100% wholly owned by SOCCStart of ops: April 2012

About Sharp Corporation

Sharp Corporation (TSE: 6753) is a worldwide developer of innovative products and core technologies that play a key role in shaping the future of electronics. As a leader in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and digital technologies, Sharp offers one of the broadest and most advanced lines of consumer electronics, information products and electronic components, while also creating new network businesses. For more information, please visit www.sharp.co.jp

Source: Sharp Corporation

Contact:

Corporate Public Relations Division
Sharp Corporation
Phone: +81-6-6625-3006 (Osaka)
Phone: +81-3-3260-1870 (Tokyo)

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