Apple and Sharp are in talks with Japan Display to acquire factory

Apple and Sharp are in talks with Japan Display to acquire the display factory in Ishikawa. The companies are still discussing how to divide the shares among themselves. The talks are already at an advanced stage.

Japan Display, also called JDI, has been suffering from money problems for some time. The company recently carried out restructuring to compensate for the disappointing turnover. JDI mainly makes LCDs for iPhones, but since Apple switched to OLED screens, it is difficult to continue to make a profit. The company had also previously been in advanced talks with ‘a partner’ who would like to buy EUR 178 million worth of equipment from the factory – in all likelihood Apple. Now sources tell Nikkei that the company is even in talks to sell the entire Hakusan factory.

Nikkei sources say JDI is in talks with both Apple and Sharp about an acquisition. Sharp is also a supplier to Apple. Those talks would involve an amount of between 80 billion and 90 billion yen, converted about 655 million to 736 million euros. Apple already paid almost half the cost of the factory during the construction period. JDI does not confirm the takeover talks, but says it is “considering all options” surrounding the factory.