Panasonic boosts plasma panel plant capacity

Reuters reported that in order to meet China's strong market demand, Panasonic plans to increase its plasma panel plant capacity in China to nearly five times its current capacity in fiscal 2012 (as of March 31, 2013).

Panasonic's current plasma panel factory in Shanghai has a monthly production capacity of 25,000 in 42-inch panels. However, this figure cannot meet China's rapidly growing market demand. Matsushita plans to increase this number to more than 120,000.

Matsushita spokesperson Yomiuri Shimbun said that in order to make up for the shortage in the Chinese market, Panasonic had to transport the plasma panels of the Japanese factory. By expanding the production capacity of Chinese factories, Panasonic can help reduce its cost by 30%.

In addition, Panasonic stated that they will announce plans for increased production at factories in China and Japan at the appropriate time.