Sony’s future is mobile as the Japanese tech giant confirms it is to sell off its PC arm in order to shift focus to the growing smartphone scene.
With the Vaio brand having been a stalwart of the PC sector for many a year, Sony has called time on its now struggling PC sector, announcing that while mobile is to become a lead focus, it will also offer more concentrated efforts to its flourishing TV efforts.
Having been working on a plan to reform its business strategy since April 2012, Sony has today announced that its PC arm will be sold to Japan Industrial Partners alongside the Vaio brand.
“Sony Corporation today announced significant new measures to address reform of its PC and TV businesses aimed at accelerating the revitalization and growth of its electronics business,” an official statement from the company stated.
“Sony and Japan Industrial Partners Inc. ("JIP") today concluded a memorandum of understanding confirming the parties' intent for Sony to sell to JIP Sony's PC business currently operated under the VAIO brand.”
They added: “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.”
Sony and JIP are now set to enter due diligence, with negotiations on a final fee for Sony’s PC sector still to be determined. Sony has suggested it hopes the deal will be sealed by March 2014.
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