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Thomson Investments In Big-Screen Displays Reflect Growing Demand, New Widescreen High-Definition Technology
Thomson Multimedia (NYSE: TMS), the world's largest supplier of large and very-large color TV picture tubes, has now completed a significant U.S. investment that allows television set makers to expand their digital HDTV offerings. Thomson has also started work on a new Mexicali, Mexico facility that will help the company meet demand for Very Large Screen (VLS) color TV picture tubes. Thomson's Americas Tubes Operations has just completed a $20 million widescreen high-definition television picture tube investment in the company's Marion, Indiana facilities. Full-scale production of both the 38-inch widescreen and 34-inch widescreen HDTV tubes will start in early 2000. These products are on display this week at the International Consumer Electronics Show to demonstrate Thomson's leadership in providing high performance color picture tubes to support the demand for affordable high definition TV receivers. ""The stunning images produced by Thomson's new line of PERFORMAX HDTV picture tubes makes it seem like you're looking out a widescreen window on the world. With our $20 million investment now complete, we've begun pilot production and will soon ship finished goods to Thomson's Americas television assembly operations,"" said Thomas Carson, Vice President of Americas Tubes Operations. The Marion plant investment also includes the installation of the new Thomson second-generation automated/computerized ""YAM"" equipment. This equipment provides state-of-the-art tube/yoke setup and testing capabilities for production of HDTV tubes. Recently, Thomson also announced its plans to strengthen its global Very Large Screen (VLS) color TV picture tube position with the addition of a new tube manufacturing plant in Mexicali, Mexico. Production at Thomson Displays Mexicana SA de CV is expected to begin in early 2001. When fully operational, the plant will employ 500 people and will have a production capacity of 4,000 VLS color TV picture tubes per day. The factory will manufacture tubes 31 inches (79cm) and larger for Thomson as well as for other television manufacturers. Thomson's other picture tube factories are located in Marion, Indiana; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Anagni (Italy); Piaseczno (Poland); Mexico City (Mexico) and Foshan (China). Thomson produces more than 15 million tubes annually. The combined output of these facilities represents 20% of the worldwide market of tubes larger than 21 inches (53cm) diagonal. Market demand for VLS tubes continues to be strong, reflecting the continued growth of big-screen television sales. About Thomson Multimedia With sales over $6 billion in 1998 and 48,000 employees in over 30 countries, Thomson Multimedia (NYSE: TMS) is the fourth largest global supplier of consumer electronics products. The group has four main activities: Displays and Components, Consumer Products, New Media Services, Patents and Licensing. Within its activities Thomson Multimedia develops, manufactures and sells television displays and components, consumer products such as televisions, VCRs, camcorders, audio and communications products, digital decoders, DVD players and professional video equipment. Thomson Multimedia is the parent company of the U.S.-based Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.