We love reports from DisplaySearch. They completely break down all the industry trends so we can all understand what's going on. Their latest report indicates that the recent downturn in flat panel sales isn't a short term slump, but a trend that will continue into the future.
The reason is market maturity, because flat panels have already replaced CRT sales. DisplaySearch predicts that 80% of all TVs will be flat panels by 2011.
Keep reading for their complete release, and a link where you can go to purchase the report.
DisplaySearch, the worldwide leader in display market research and consulting, indicated that flat panel shipment may grow slowly over the long term as the market reaches maturity its latest Quarterly Worldwide FPD Forecast Report.
“Concerns over contracting consumer demand over the near term may
grab headlines today, but slower growth may be a long-term trend in the
flat panel market,” noted David Barnes,
DisplaySearch Vice President of Strategic Analysis. “From 2001 through
2008, flat panel display shipments grew at a compound annual rate of
10%. From 2008 to 2015, the compound annual growth forecast is 4% due
to market maturity, as flat panel displays have captured most of the
market previously served by cathode-ray tubes (CRT). For example,
DisplaySearch’s research also indicates that more than 80% of all TV
sets will use flat panels by 2011.”
Older technologies such as vacuum fluorescent
and cathode-ray tube displays have experienced decreasing demand as
newer technologies became cost competitive. Total display shipments
(including all display technologies) grew at a slower compound annual
rate of 8% from 2001 through 2008.
DisplaySearch expects organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display
and electrophoretic display (EPD) shipments to grow at compound annual
rates of 20% and 15%, respectively, over the next seven years. Demand
for high-temperature poly-silicon (HTPS) LCDs, used in digital cameras
and projectors, may also grow at a double-digit rate. The primary
active-matrix (AMLCD) technology based on TFT glass backplanes is
forecast to see 8% compound annual growth. While this would be slower
than the 48% compound annual growth estimated for the prior seven
years, the AMLCD market may exceed $95 billion in sales this year. Any
market that large approaches constraints as it matures.
Despite this, DisplaySearch’s latest findings remained optimistic
about unit demand growth from emerging applications. While fewer than
40,000 OLED units for TV applications may ship this year,
DisplaySearch foresees potential for 126% compound annual growth in
OLED TV panel demand over the next seven years. In addition,
expectations for demand growth from mini-note PC applications remains
high as consumers around the world are embracing smaller, lower-cost
notebooks.
Expectations for shipments to companies specializing in public
displays or out-of-home advertising also remain high. The value of
in-store advertising and cross-product promotion increases as consumer
sentiment declines. The fifth fastest growing application is eBooks, which use new electronic paper display technology
enabled by companies such as E Ink and SiPix. Several companies are
combining electrophoretic displays with organic transistors to
introduce plastic displays available this year and next.
Subscribers to the report learn much more about trends and
opportunities in the flat-panel industry. The report evaluates 366
display types using 18 display technologies serving 40 applications
through Q4’15. It analyses demand elasticities, technology
substitutions and much more. —Leslie Shapiro
