Sony has announced that it plans towards sell its VAIO PC business brand to Japan Industrial Partners Inc. (JIP).
The “Vaio” brand could disappear from markets outside Japan because Tokyo-based investment fund Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) will operate the Vaio PC brand under a newly established firm and initially sell PCs in Japan only.
The moves come as Sony said it now expects a net loss of ¥110 billion ($1.1 billion) for the year to the end of March, a reversal of its October forecast for net profit of ¥30 billion.
Vaio, which Sony introduced in 1996, looks set to vanish from most markets, at least for short term. Although Sony is selling its PC business, it will continue to produce tablet computers, part of its renewed focus on mobile devices including smartphones.
As a part of the business transfer to JIP, Sony will cease planning, design and development of PC products. Manufacturing and sales will also be discontinued after the Spring 2014 lineup to be launched globally. Even after Sony withdraws from the PC market, Sony customers will continue to receive aftercare customer services. Approximately 250 to 300 Sony Corporation and Sony EMCS Corporation employees involved in PC operations, including planning, design, development, manufacturing and sales, are expected to be hired by the new company established by JIP. Sony will also explore opportunities for other employees to be transferred to other businesses within the Sony Group. For employees of Sony Corporation and Sony EMCS Corporation that are not hired by the new company or transferred within the Sony Group, Sony plans to also offer an early retirement support program to assist their reemployment outside of the Sony Group.
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http://techfat.com/2014/02/06/sony-wants-sell-vaio-pc-business-to-jip/
