AU Optronics plans second R&D center

AU Optronics Corp (友達光電), the world's third-largest maker of liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, announced yesterday that it will set up its second research and development center, a move that the company said would strengthen its competitiveness in the sector.

The planned technology center will be located in AU Optronic's Taichung plant in the Central Taiwan Science Park (中部科學園區), the company said in a filing to the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Shares of AU Optronics rose 2.4 percent to NT$45.55 yesterday.

The company initially plans to hire up to 200 research engineers for the center. These researchers will focus on advanced technology developments in LCD-screen technology, precision machinery, information technology applications, and consumer electronics application technologies, the statement said.

The center, which is believed to be the first R&D facility in the Central Taiwan Science Park, is expected to gradually expand to 500 research engineers, the statement said.

"Extending our R&D center to the Central Taiwan Science Park demonstrates our long-term dedication to the flat-panel industry," said Chen Hsuen-bin (陳炫彬), president of AU Optronics. "It will also offer essential technological support for our sixth generation (G6) and 7.5th generation (G7.5) fabrication facilities at the site."

A G6 fab is capable of manufacturing TV screens measuring 32 inches diagonally, while a G7.5 fab can more economically turn out TV screens 42 inches and larger.

The Hsinchu-based company plans to hold a recruitment fair for its new center on Jan. 7 at the Taichung plant, a public relations official said, adding that the center would be launched sometime later.

The official refused to reveal how much money the company is investing in the center.

AU Optronics set up its first R&D center in the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park (新竹科學園區) in November 2002 -- the AUO Technology Center -- and has since pumped NT$18 billion (US$536.4 million) into it, said Liu Chun-ting (劉軍廷), vice president of the AUO Technology Center.

With 900 research engineers, the center applies for an average of 900 patents annually, Liu said, adding that AU Optronics has more than 4,200 patents worldwide.

"The achievement will be further extended after the second AUO Technology Center is in place," Liu said.

The establishment of the new center will also help Taichung to become a technology hub, he said.