The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Japanese manufacturer Sharp is in serious talks with a number of US companies to try save its finances. It plans to offer up stakes in the business in return for a “stable supply of breakthrough display technology”.
The Journal reports that Dell in particular has been a focus of Sharp’s advances, along with Intel and Qualcomm. In return for a hefty investment — somewhere in the region of $US240 million — Sharp is promising these companies an inside track on future technologies. Presumably, that means the latest version of its indium gallium zinc oxide — IGZO — displays.
Sharp’s clamouring for investment is an attempt to turn its balance sheet around. According to the Journal, Sharp is expecting a second straight year of record losses — so at this point it will take pretty desperate measures to stop itself haemorrhaging cash. [Wall Street journal]
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