Sony has had a lot of trouble with its hardware business over the past half decade. Whether it was early lacklustre sales of the PS3, or a declining TV business thanks to increased Korean competition, it's struggled. Today it's a little healthier, but its still going to get out of one aspect of the hardware game, by selling off its Vaio PC brand.
“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,”
said Sony in a statement.
It clarified that it wasn't putting the business up for sale, as a
buyer had already been found. Japan Industrial Partners, a Japanese
investment firm had agreed to take over the business for an undisclosed
sum. The deal is expected to complete by the end of March.
This unfortunately means all manufacturing positions at Sony will
likely be let go, though the new company being set up by JIP in the wake
of the purchase is expected to take on around 300 employees to run the
new business - so chances are there will be some jobs going there if
people don't mind shifting location.
Sony also announced that it would be continuing with its TV business,
pushing production of 4k sets, but will be splitting it off into its
own firm so that that any negative down turn cannnot affect the company
as a whole.
Any Vaio fans sad to see it change hands?
[Cheers VG247]
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