Sony will be selling of the VAIO brand and business to a new company established by investment firm Japan Industrial Partners, and focus instead on smartphones and tablets along with 4K/2K TVs in the coming year. A deal will be ready by March end.
Sony issued a statement in the matter, saying that, “Following a comprehensive analysis of factors, including the drastic changes in the global PC industry, Sony’s overall business portfolio and strategy, the need for continued support of Sony’s valued VAIO customers, and future employment opportunities for personnel involved in the VAIO business, the company has determined that concentrating its mobile product lineup on smartphones and tablets and transferring its PC business to a new company established by JIP is the optimal solution.”
Production for Ultra HD TVs will ramp up in the coming months, with 250-300 personnel to be hired in the new JTP-built company. They also handle all production and manufacturing going forward. Sony has also revealed plans to lay 5000 employees – 1500 in Japan and 3500 overseas – by the end of FY 2014.
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