Corning is a company that has its fingers into all sorts of products. Perhaps one of the products the company is best known for in the tech world is the Gorilla Glass that covers the LCD panels of many smartphones and tablets on the market.
Corning and Samsung have jointly operated Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co. Limited (SCP) – which manufactures LCD glass in South Korea -- with Samsung Display having ownership of 43 percent. With today’s announcement, Corning will assume full ownership of SCP.
The deal will net Samsung $1.9 billion in Corning convertible preferred shares, giving it 7.4% ownership in Corning if converted.
“The agreements provide important financial and strategic benefits to both Corning and Samsung,” said Wendell P. Weeks, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Corning.
“We look forward to concentrating our efforts and combining our expertise in product development with Corning’s renowned leadership in glass technologies to develop new market opportunities in consumer products and other industries,” added Kinam Kim, president and chief executive officer of Samsung Display.
The deal also brings with it a long-term LCD display glass supply agreement between Corning and Samsung Display that will run through 2023. Corning's board also authorized an additional $2 billion in share repurchases throughout December 31, 2015.
