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]