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Samsung electronics will operate the 8th generation LCD line from next month 2007/06/26 By Jang, Ji-young Samsung Electronics will start operating the 8th generation production facility from July earlier than its schedule. Thanks to early operation of the 8th generation production line optimized to mass produce 52inch LCD TV panel, 50inch LCD TV is expected to be popularize earlier. Samsung also plans to invest in building the 2nd production lines after the first mass production of the 8th generation LCD TV panels. So, facility investment in local LCD industry which was slowed down for a while is likely to increase. On June 25th, according to the industry insiders, Samsung Electronics started to test mass production of 52 inch TV panel this month by putting 2,000 glass panels to the 8th generation LCD production line. Moreover, the company will put 10,000 glass panels, required amount for mass production, from July. A representative of an equipment supplier said　“Samsung Electronics decided to input 6,000 glass panels in the 8th generation LCD production line in early July and to put similar amount in the mid-month. Under such internal goal, Samsung strongly requires equipment suppliers to hasten facility optimization.” The 8th generation glass panel of Samsung Electronics(2500×2200㎜) can produce 6 pieces of 52 inch TV panels, two times faster than the 7the generation production line. Therefore, when 10,000 glass panels are put in July, it is possible to produce 30,000-50,000 pieces of 52 inch TV panel depending upon demand. Samsung Electronics will increase the glass panel input to the 1st line of 8th generation panel production facility to 50,000 and operate the 2nd line in the later half. So, the price of panels is likely to sharply fall. Reflecting this, President Lee, Sang-wan of Samsung Electronics said “We can lower the price of 52inch LCD panel to 1,000 dollars by the end of next year.” Equipment industry projects that facility investment in the 2nd line will start as early as the yearend, thanks to the operation of the 8th generation production line. It is also predicted that the facility investment can start even earlier if panel sales show great performance in the 3rd quarter, a high-demand season. Regarding this, an official of Samsung Electronics said “we are speeding up in mass production of the 8th generation products but official mass production amount should be calculated based on the number of completed products rather than the amount of glass panel input. Even if large amount of glass panels are input in July, official mass production schedule can be adjusted upon demand.” 　 In the mean time, Samsung Electronics started operation of the 8th generation production line in August, 2month earlier than original schedule.