EXCLUSIVE: Hisense Move Could Hurt LG + Samsung

According to sources in China Hisense is taking a long term
view to the TV manufacturing market, with the Chinese Government owned Company
telling suppliers in China that they will shortly invest in building their own
glass manufacturing plant.

Currently Hisense who are a fast growing Company in
Australia and a major supplier of appliances and TV’s in Asia buy panels from
both LG and Samsung in Korea.

A source told ChannelNews that Hisense want to be the fourth
“and if possible the “#3” supplier of TV’s in the world.

“This will be a three year investment program that will
strengthen Hisense’s position in the global TV market.

In Australia Hisense in July took the #4 spot as Sony
struggled to supply TV’s to retailers.

A Sony source who wished to remain anonymous said “Sony
Australia was stupid, they actually ran out of stock of TV’s during the first
week of the Soccer World Cup which is remarkable for a Company who are trying
to get their TV act together”.

The move by Hisense to build out a new glass manufacturing
plant is set to hit TCL who are struggling in the Australian market.

The bottom end maker of TV’s whose products are stocked and
sold in the discount category is struggling to make a profit selling their own
brand of appliances and TV’s.