back to article Samsung grabs Sharp shard, brings pain to Apple supply chain

Samsung has shipped up in Apple's pitch by taking a three per cent stake in cash-strapped component supplier Sharp for ¥10.4bn ($111m). Instead of top iDevice manufacturer Foxconn nabbing a bit of Sharp, an idea that had previously been floated, the fruity firm will see Sammy screens being made side by side with its own …

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  1. g e
    Go

    And presumably...

    Sammy can get a line put in to a Sharp production site to make stuff to their QA standards while leaving the Apple display lines to do whatever. Plus presumably they'll get access to sensor-in-pixel manufacturing tech if they don't already have it.

    $111M sounds like a bargain for that, plus it's probably its own return on the investment for work Sammy will put through Sharp.

  2. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Wait for Sharp's share price to tumble further once Apple drop them as a supplier.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Where to go?

      Who do they go to thou?

      As everyone is making Android devices these days, Apple have no choice but to either go with a cheapo Chinese manufacturer, or make their own, or buy from someone more interested in making their own phones.

      A genius move from Samsung, as if Apple didn't have enough headaches, with that mountain of unsold iPhone 5s.....

      1. Armando 123
        Devil

        Re: Where to go?

        Given Cook's background in production and how he's quietly started using North American components where he could, ... IIRC the glass for the iPhone is now made in Texas. Hm, just thinking out loud here.

        1. Tom 13

          Re: quietly started using North American components where he could

          While I'd love that if it were true, the unfortunate facts on the ground are that any attempts at manufacturing in the US are pretty much doomed before they start because of union issues.

          R.I.P Twinkies

          1. 404

            Re: quietly started using North American components where he could

            That depends on where the factory is located - Right-To-Work states would be fine, union states not so much.

            1. Don Jefe

              Re: quietly started using North American components where he could

              Unionization is much more complex than that. Don't oversimplify the issue.

          2. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: quietly started using North American components where he could

            That would be why Kia and Mercedes don't manufacture in America, then?

            1. Dan Paul
              Devil

              Re: quietly started using North American components where he could

              Ribosome, Mercedes DOES have two manufacturing plants in the USA. In fact so does KIA.

              Think before you spout your anti american crap.

              http://www.mbusi.com/

              www.kia.com/kmmg/

              1. Oninoshiko
                Facepalm

                Re: quietly started using North American components where he could

                That was Ribosome's point.

                Although you two are comparing apples to cars. The import costs on cars are for more significant then on consumer electronics.

                1. Dan Paul
                  Devil

                  Re: quietly started using North American components where he could

                  What I am stating is that certain morons should just stop with the automatic american bashing. Ribosomes post did not have one thing to do with "unions" . The fact is that the US CAN and does manufacture products with all of the quality and efficiency of other locations in the world. And they don't use child labor or make people work in literal prisons.

                  Ribosome did not have any point besides making a jab at the US. I was not comparing apples to anything, I was answering was a completely misguided and incorrect statement that needed correcting.

              2. Anonymous Coward
                Anonymous Coward

                Re: quietly started using North American components where he could

                Whoosh? Why did I single out those manufacturers?

                Think twice before you get the word 'irony'. My point was that the existence of unions didn't stop Kia and Mercedes.

      2. John Sanders
        Devil

        Re: Where to go?

        Apple made their bed, now they have to lie on it.

      3. LarsG

        Re: Where to go?

        Apple invest in their own screen production plant using some of the small change from their stash of cash and make their own. Sharp and Samsung lose 30% of their screen income.

        Not that would be a story.

        1. Danny 14

          Re: Where to go?

          And licence whos technology for screen fabs? Or do they invent their own? Fabs don't come cheap either. Ask amd what happened there. Apple would have been better buying sharp for cash ensuring domination.

    2. Grikath
      Holmes

      And Apple would get their precious components where, exactly?

      The way I see it, Apple is tossing its' cash towards "IP" litigation, while Samsung is buying up production capacity and (minority) control of production companies. Sooner or later Apples' opinion on the matter is moot, because "Samsung" will control all the relevant production capacity available, directly or indirectly, and dictate the hoops Apple has to jump through to produce *anything*.

      Never forget that asians have a different social structure and are very good at playing Corporate Games.

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      3% is hardly going to give them all that much 'control' and it's actually now in their interest to keep their major customers (Apple) happy.

    4. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Just because I buy some BP or Shell shares does not mean they will give me cheaper fuel or stop selling fuel to my neighbour. If they had bought 30-50% it would be interesting.

    5. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      wait until apple pull the plug

      it matters not to sharp as they'll be losing nothing but a customer, remember that Samsung was the last supplier that Apple pulled the plug on, seems not to have hurt them too much.

      Also 3% can lead to an aggressive takeover, apple cant "buy the other 97%" as business shares are not like walking in to costco, they have to satisfy the relevant countries laws.

      once the speculatory "Apple V Samsung" idiots finish their venting we'll maybe see some intelligent guesses as to why they are doing it

  3. P_0

    It's a three per cent stake. They won't get a seat on the board for that, surely.

    Sharp will still make screen for whoever will give them business, I imagine.

    1. Tom 13

      That's 3% for now.

      Who knows what might happen in the future. In the meantime, it is certainly enough to have friendly conversations to protect their investment.

      1. Danny 14

        Re: That's 3% for now.

        Believe it or not 3pct makes the the 5th largest shareholder so it might do.

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Buying a share in a sinking ship or perhaps Samsung want to get a closer eye on what Apple are doing next?

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Being a shareholder does not get you any privileged information into what a company is doing.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        "Being a shareholder does not get you any privileged information into what a company is doing."

        Maybe not for your run of the mill secondary market dupe. In this case the 3% stake sounds modest, but there's two important considerations. First is that corporate and business culture are rather different in Asia from the UK & US, and cross-shareholdings are not unusual ways of cementing operational partnerships. And second, the exact terms aren't easy to find (on the basis of two minutes Googling, I 'fess), but it seems probable this isn't just a secondary market purchase, but newly minted equity, in which case this is a cash injection of $110m to Sharp, who are having a bad time at the moment.

        Either way, Sharp aren't in much condition to dictate terms, and Samsung perhaps need access to Sharp's IGZO technology - certainly unverified web comment has lately suggested that Samsung have been blowing a bit cooler on their AMOLED tech.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          In this market $110m is chump change - Apple could buy the other 97% for about $3.5-4bn and still have oh £130bn in the bank.

  5. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    "Being a shareholder does not get you any privileged information into what a company is doing."

    Yes, but when Samsung "lends" money to a sinking ship, Sharp, they do it for other reasons than future dividends, for sure.

  6. Anonymous Dutch Coward
    Headmaster

    Business speak

    When I read this "competition paradigm changed" I have to dig up my anti-nausea medication.

    Does this guy mean that the moves of some players on the market have totally changed the way the economic principle of competition is viewed.... or did that moron just mean that the "competition situation in the market changed" or something similar!?!!?

    Glad I got that off my chest.

  7. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    and..

    ..meanwhile Apple buy shares in Etch-a Sketch for their revolutionary screen technology.

  8. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    It also means that Apple's sales may actually help Samsung get more value from their investment.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Until Apple pull the plug and buy from another supplier - then the share price drops as they lose a huge customer.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        3% is almost like baiting Apple to pull the plug on Sharp?

        1. Yet Another Commentard

          From Bloomberg:

          "“Sharp was the first supplier that was cut out when iPhone demand started to slow,” said Amir Anvarzadeh, Singapore-based manager for Asia equity sales at BGC Partners Inc. (BGCP) “Chances for Sharp to revive as a standalone company are zero unless becoming part of a big group like Samsung or Foxconn.”"

          So, that would seem to have happened.

          Samsung may be trying to get a foot in the door to access something else of interest in Sharp should a fire-sale or "white knight" of some form be required.

  9. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    3% is a lot...

    3% may well get you a seat on a board, you do not need to have 51% of a company to get them to do what you want, 15% or even 10% may well be enough to control what Sharp do.

    I think it is a great idea from Samsung, Apple can't walk away that easily, there are only so many companies that make the sort of quality screen Apple want and you don't set up a new fab plant overnight. The more Samsung owns of the supply chain, the more they can dictate what happens. An army marches on its stomach, Apple lives on getting units unto the shops at the right time, if they are no longer at the front of the queue, Apple will suffer financially.

    Sometimes Apple is really, really smart, like when they brought up a large chunk of flash memory five years in advance and sometimes they're really, really dumb, like when they sued World+Dog over any IP infringement they could dream up.

    I see Apple wining battle after battle but losing the war.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: 3% is a lot...

      Apple may not walk away - chances are Apple have already invested their cash (as they do) by buying production lines / capacity / equipment at their suppliers. However, they will also be contracts in place to ensure access to supply so I think it unlikely Samsung could have much negative impact on any supply Apple may need.

      Apple ditched Samsung (or are int he process of) and they are still shipping bucket loads of product - iPad sales up around 50% in the last quarter compared to the quarter before. The issues they had were getting them assembled and not with the supplies of the components.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: 3% is a lot...

      I see Samsung buying up more and more production capacity - in effect they are their own largest customer now. All in time for people to stop buying Samsung phones. There are plenty of other very good Android phones by a multitude of other makers and Samsung are just another one.

      Nexus 4 - good phone and cheaper than a Galaxy 3. HTC One X, Motorola Razr-i, Huawei Ascend P1 and many more from Sony and others.

      Can anyone (who does not work for Samsung) genuinely say they would DEFINITELY buy a Samsung S4 or S5 next time - thought not,

  10. Charlie Clark Silver badge
    Stop

    Maths

    If ¥10.4bn is $111m, how come ¥9.9bn is $121m?

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Joke

      Re: Maths

      "If ¥10.4bn is $111m, how come ¥9.9bn is $121m?"

      Inflation. The dollar is devaluing even as you type!

  11. Donald Becker

    To make it clear, Samsung provided desperately needed money to Sharp.

    One of the things they got in return was relatively small number of shares, something that Sharp had to report. There are almost certainly other terms and benefits to Samsung that don't need to be immediately reported.

    This is far different than buying 3% of the company's shares on a stock exchange. That would have gotten Samsung almost no control or goodwill, nor would it have eased Sharp's tight finances.

    As far as Apple just going out and building a display factory rather than investing in Sharp... yes, it would be cheaper. If they started now, they might have a working production line by 2015, and make industry leading displays by 2016 or 2017. If they didn't care about the cost, they might be able do it a year faster. In the meantime they still require displays, and every potential new supplier can see their future.

  12. oldcoder

    There is one other possiblity not mentioned...

    Sharp, as I understand it, was having some production quality control issues...

    a 3% steak in Sharp could very easily allow Sharp to purchase Samsung displays and resell them to Apple.. with a "handling fee added, of course.

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