Retailers looking for ways to enhance the profit opportunities from their photo services department now have an integrated and scalable photo solution for the consumer driven digital age. What we are offering retailers is the opportunity to combine the resources of our superior digital imaging equipment, already deployed in more than 50 percent of the nation's leading retailers, with Lucidiom's creative APM (automated photo machine) kiosks and versatile Web-based solutions.

Zytronic today announced that its ZYBRID touch sensors, equipped with projected capacitive technology (PCT), have been integrated with Taiwan-based Sunvision Technology's ViViMirror interactive self-service display.

Morgan Wen, COO for Sunvision, says the ZYBRID technology was essential to the ViViMirror's functionality:

PCT's unique ability to function through an overlay material, in this case mirrored glass, coupled with ZYBRID's customization capability and drift-free performance, together with excellent local project support, have been central to enabling us to deliver this significant innovation. ViViMirror allows customers to stylishly conceal a full-function touch display until the moment it is required and is already generating high levels of interest from the home appliance and retail markets. The product can be customized depending upon the application and additional functionality including RFID, and fingerprint recognition can even be incorporated into the system.

American Industrial Systems Inc., a manufacturer of LCD monitors and displays, has announced the expansion of its line of LED-backlit displays. The company says the LED display technology offers long life, high durability and low power consumption when compared to standard CCFL backlights and is available on 17-inch, 19-inch and 21.5-inch LCD screens.

The company says the product line supports multiple configurations and applications:

Several mechanical designs are available featuring LED displays including open frames, chassis, panel mount, rugged series, panel PC and tablet PC. All of AIS' industrial displays are built for long lifetime support and availability, high performance and reliable operation in industrial, commercial and military application. Additional options such as sunlight readable transflective films, privacy films, touchscreens, wide voltage-range boards, wide temperature range modules, and shock/vibration enhancements are all but a few of AIS’ line of enhancement technologies to cater the display to your exact application requirements.

Roosevelt, N.Y.-based Parabit Systems Inc., a kiosk and digital signage provider, will partner with SelfServiceWorld.com to host a free webinar, "Communication through the Integration of Kiosks and Digital Signage," on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

During the webinar, Rob Leiponis, founder and president of Parabit, and Ralph Tragale, assistant director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, will discuss their partnership to deploy "Welcome Centers" at John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia airports. The Port Authority commissioned Parabit last year to develop, construct and install the Welcome Centers, which use interactive kiosks, digital signage and other technologies to provide information and airport services to travelers.

The presenters will share with attendees their strategies for integrating kiosk and digital signage solutions and how utilizing these technologies in the transportation vertical can help improve customer service, create new revenue opportunities and streamline operations.

Participants can register to attend the free webinar here.

Library Automation Technologies Inc. has announced updates to its line of library self-checkout solutions that allow libraries to communicate with patrons via digital display technology during idle times. According to a news release from LAT, library clients can use their existing LAT-Central enterprise management systems to control the content displayed.

Oleg Boyarsky, president and CEO of LAT, says the upgrade will help libraries meet the marketing demands they increasingly face:

Libraries are changing and are evolving with the times. Like commercial enterprises, libraries must now market their value to their patrons. Instead of buying monitors, computers or creating a separate infrastructure to do that, we allow them the same capability using the equipment they already have.

LAT says the digital signage upgrade is free to existing customers.

The CORE line offers a sleek new look for kiosks, and we are proud to make these products available to the market. The CORE line presents important characteristics for kiosk design and manufacturing and clearly demonstrates how we differ from those in our industry by using unique materials and aesthetic designs that are highly functional and contemporary.

These implementations for Baesler's Market delis reflect a growing demand for NEXTEP SYSTEMS' technology from grocery operations all across America. NEXTEP solutions are enabling grocers to improve productivity, eliminate potential customer walk-aways, and increase revenue and up-sell opportunities within the deli environment.

The size of average orders in our deli has increased, and our customer service in the deli is also growing and improving, thanks to our NEXTEP ordering system. Our deli customers like using the self-order kiosks, and the system allows them to get their shopping done much quicker, which is a real plus.

As part of our ongoing commitment to our digital signage program, we are pleased to introduce our new FlexiMega series with new front-opening access. This unit differs from the standard units on the market, with its aluminum construction, contemporary, curved front and back fascia and with the entire front door opening for complete access serviceability.

For example, employees can view training videos or presentations on new products or policies, punch in and out and access on-demand information to assist customers.

AIS offers a long list of add-on enhancements to customize each LCD display to the specific application. Sunlight Readable Transflective films, privacy films, touchscreens, wide voltage-range boards, wide temperature-range modules, sealed connectors and shock/vibration resistance are all but a few of AIS' line of enhancement technologies.

Display technology manufacturer Multek, a wholly owned subsidiary of Flextronics, has announced a partnership with Sensitive Object, a France-based user interface technology provider, to enhance Multek's touchpanel solution for its partners and OEM customers.
 
According to a news release, the agreement stipulates that Sensitive Object will provide product engineering and customization services to Multek, as well as production and development support for OEMs in the mobile, computing, industrial and consumer devices markets, and for kiosks and laptops.
 
Werner Widmann, Multek's president and CEO, says the partnership will help Multek provide innovative display technology solutions for OEMs long into the future:
 
   
"By integrating Sensitive Object's attractive, disruptive technology with our current expertise and production services in this area, Multek will provide a solutions platform to enable generations of touchpanel products. Sensitive Object's unique technology matches our aggressive requirement to develop cutting-edge touchpanel technologies, and we are eager to begin working with the Sensitive Object team and look forward to providing OEMs with our enhanced touchpanel solution."
 

 
Multek is based in Northfield, Minn., and has facilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — 3M Library Systems has announced the upcoming release of a new version of its library self-checkout station at the American Library Association’s annual conference, held July 9-15 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
 
According to a news release, the newest version of 3M’s Checkpoint EM Self-Checkout Station is value-priced to offer a cost-effective solution for the protection and efficient management of library collections. The company says the lighter weight Universal Self-Service, or USS, Station helps increase ease-of-use and reduce unwanted alarms to improve the user experience. The EM Self-Checkout can help reduce waiting lines for checkout, improve customer service and helps increase patron privacy. The USS Station is exclusively distributed by 3M Library Systems.

IRVINE, Calif. — American Industrial Systems Inc. has introduced a low-cost 15-inch industrial panel PC, powered by an Intel Atom N270 processor, to answer the demand of today’s budget-conscious economy.
 
According to a news release, the product’s modular design allows several mechanical mounting solutions, including open-frame, panel-mount bezel, IP65/NEMA4 bezel and rack-mountable bezels. It features low power consumption, integrated touchscreen and IP65 dust/water protection. Utilizing the Intel Atom processor provides efficient, reliable performance at a fraction of the cost. AIS’s industrial panel PC solution is meant for applications such as automation control, HMI, testing equipment, process monitoring, kiosks and digital signage.
 
The units are encased in a steel chassis, protecting the components from harsh industrial environments, including shock/vibration, extreme temperatures and excessive use. The optional IP65/NEMA4X bezel provides water and dust protection for dirty or wet environments. Standard VESA mounts or mounting clips are available for easy mounting to any fixture. Pricing for the PC starts at $699.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — NextWindow, maker of optical touchscreens for all-in-one PCs and large-format displays, has been awarded two key technology patents, one in the U.S. and another in China. The newly granted patents, which refer to optical touchsystems incorporating light emitters, reflectors and detection methods, help cement NextWindow’s leadership positions in the Chinese manufacturing and U.S. sales markets.
 
According to a news release, the U.S. patent (No. 7,538,759) is titled, “Touch Panel Display System with Illumination and Detection Provided from a Single Edge.” NextWindow previously was granted this patent in Australia, and requests for patents are pending in Canada, Europe, Hong Kong and Japan.
 
The Chinese patent (No. 200480009926) is titled, “Touch Panel and Method of Optically Detecting the Presence of an Object in relation to the Touch Screen.” A request for this patent also has been filed in Australia, the United States, Europe, Japan and Korea.
 
“NextWindow has invested significant research and development resources in the optical touchscreen space, and these patents represent the latest additions to our growing IP portfolio extending around the world,” said Al Monro, chief executive NextWindow. “That the patents were granted in critical international markets where a number of our customers and partners are based also is significant, given the importance of gaining competitive advantage at this very dynamic time in the rapidly growing touchscreen market. Likewise, the new patents demonstrate NextWindow’s ongoing commitment to innovation, dating back nearly 10 years.”
 
NextWindow has been growing its patent portfolio since 2000. The company previously was granted patents for its optical touchscreen technology in the United States and Australia, and several other patents relating to its optical touchscreen technology are pending throughout the world.

FRESNO, Calif. — Fresno Yosemite International Airport today announced the installation of a MYPVDATA kiosk. Using the kiosk, airport staff and travelers, as well as those in the local community, can access a real-time view of how the 2.4 megawatt-capacity solar array at the airport is performing.

According to a news release, the kiosk is connected directly to the MYPVDATA solar monitoring, management and performance system to deliver real-time performance data of the solar system. The new kiosk will help increase public awareness and education about Fresno Yosemite Airport's commitment to improving its environmental footprint through the use of solar energy.

The airport's solar system was established using a solar power purchase agreement, or PPA, with system developer and operator Solar Power Partners Inc. The system is installed on a 20-acre site and was constructed with APS single-axis trackers that enable the modules to follow the movement of the sun. The solar-generated electricity is conveyed by underground conductors to the airport's main power supply and integrated into the airport's electrical center.

In addition to its physical location at the airport, the kiosk’s user interface also can be accessed online at http://webkiosk.mypvdata.net/c/fresno_airport/index.php. The kiosk’s users will find photographs and specifications of the system, as well as real-time reports on daily, weekly, monthly and lifetime energy production, CO2-emissions reductions and the equivalent savings, in terms of trees planted or miles driven by American cars. In the last 30 days, the MYPVDATA kiosk reports that the Fresno Yosemite Airport solar panels have generated 524,948 kWh of solar energy, which is the equivalent of planting 2072 trees or driving 303,837 fewer miles.

MYPVDATA tracks energy production, solar use and savings achieved with pinpoint accuracy. As soon as a problem is detected, whether it is caused by environmental, component or lifecycle factors, SPP's operators are notified and can dispatch a maintenance crew to quickly remedy the problem, thus limiting downtime and maintaining a steady stream of energy production. The new kiosk solution located at the airport provides an easy-to-understand view of the system for the public.

TROY, Mich. — NEXTEP Systems president and co-founder Tommy Woycik appeared Monday on Fox Business’ C-Suite Sit Down to discuss the company’s self-ordering kiosk technology. In an interview with the show’s host, Woycik focused on NEXTEP’s touchscreen ordering system for the foodservice industry. Possible applications include restaurants and buffets, airport foodservice operations and supermarket delis. In the segment, Woycik explains how the self-ordering technology promotes customer loyalty, saves customers time and accomplished an average 10 to 20 percent ticket uplift through suggestive upselling.
 
Click here to view a video of the interview.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Tyco Electronics’ Elo TouchSystems exhibited a range of new touch technologies at this week’s Society for Information Display International Symposium, Seminar and Exhibition in San Antionio.
 
Elo’s latest innovations include IntelliTouch surface acoustic wave and CarrollTouch infrared technologies, as well as acoustic pulse recognition, or APR, technology that allows the touch performance to be easily defined.
 
"Elo invented touch technology over 35 years ago, and we've never stopped innovating,” said Mark Mendenhall, vice president of Tyco Electronics and general manager of Elo TouchSystems. “These new touch technologies join the extensive portfolio of Elo products developed to meet the changing needs and demands of our customers."
 
IntelliTouch and infrared multitouch
 
Elo product manager Abraham Shen says the multitouch IntelliTouch solution utilizes Elo’s surface acoustic wave technology for a precise, two-finger touch experience.
 
"Simply stated, the pure-glass construction of the new Elo multitouch IntelliTouch technology delivers an excellent image and high light transmission just like the single-touch IntelliTouch technology customers have trusted for years.” Shen said. “With stable, drift-free operation, these new IntelliTouch touchscreens will accurately recognize two-finger simultaneous touches.”
 
In addition to the IntelliTouch solution, Elo’s CarrollTouch IR technology allows users to interact with a computer's software. At the Wall Street Journal’s 2008 "D6: All Things Digital" conference, Elo's IR 19-inch multitouch monitor was featured in a brief demonstration by Julie Larson-Green, corporate vice president of program management for the Windows Experience at Microsoft Corp.
 
"The IR multitouch product has been modeled after the Elo CarrollTouch IR component line with the tested reliability of millions of screens in active use,” said Steve Haungs, product manager for Elo. “It provides a true two-coordinate report set with more to come in the future."
 
Both of these new technologies will be available for purchase on the 19-inch and 22-inch open-frame touchmonitors or as components later this year and for Windows 7.
 
APR ‘now even better’
 
Elo’s APR capability combines the optical quality, durability and stability of surface acoustic wave and infrared with the dragging properties of surface capacitive technology, and it features the advantages of resistive technology and the ability to work with water and other contaminants on the screen. The solution can be scaled from a 3.5-inch screen size to a 42-inch display.
 
Elo’s APR technology allows for fine-tuning using pre-defined usage models:
 
- “Point of Sale” is optimized for fast data entry.
- “Signature Capture” facilitates an enhanced drag.
- “General and Gaming” have parameter sets defined to maximize additional touch performance needs.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Fujitsu Components America Inc. today announced it is adding a new line of RoHS-compliant, 5-wire resistive touchpanels to its product offering. The panels feature a new design construction that improves linearity and allows OEMs to maximize the active touch input area, especially in large-size and wide-aspect ratio displays.
 
The Film-Glass touchpanels use a proprietary, patent-pending detection method that enables narrow frame borders in large touchpanels (e.g.: nine mm for 15-inch size) with an edge-area linearity performance of +/- two percent. This allows more of the active display area to be used for touch input functionality. Target applications include POS systems and kiosks for the retail, restaurant and hospitality markets.
 
Other panel specifications include a minimum operating life of 35 million touches, 80 to 85 percent transmissivity, an operating environment of -4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (-20C to +60 Celsius) and 20 to 90 percent relative humidity. A USB controller, cables and driver software also are available.
 
Fujitsu’s initial 5-wire release is a 15-inch panel for 4:3 displays. The addition of the 5-wire series complements Fujitsu’s current 4-wire and 7-wire resistive touchpanel offering.
 
Available this summer, the 15-inch touchpanel and controller combination will be priced competitively.

Skokie Review: Two groups of University of Illinois students have been awarded more than $7,000 in tuition credits for their environmentally friendly kiosk designs in the school’s first Sustainable E-waste Design Competition, held April 16. Taking top honors in the competition’s “Artist/Designer” category was a small-footprint visitor-information kiosk made from re-used steel computer cases featuring recycled materials that include a CRT monitor, motherboard and hard drives, as well as navigation tools made from discarded computer mouses and keyboard components. Also recognized, in the “Technical/Geek” category, was a kiosk made from repurposed e-waste and designed to encourage the recycling of everyday consumer materials, such as bottles, cans and paper.
 
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LAS VEGAS — If you’re a Chicago White Sox fan and have made the pilgrimage to U.S. Cellular Field, you may be already familiar with Ecast digital signage.

Ecast, a provider of end-to-end, place-based interactive solutions, put more than 50 large-format full HD displays at the stadium for use in video walls and concession areas, as well as 10 of the Ecast IQ 40-inch vertically oriented, interactive media touchscreens.

Ecast showed the IQ at KioskCom Self Service Expo and The Digital Signage Show, a two-day event that concluded yesterday.

With IP connectivity by LG Electronics, the IQ is designed specifically for retail and hospitality deployers. Jon Howe, director of manufacturing for Ecast, demonstrated one retail application that enables video gamers to browse new titles as well as receive game recommendations based on preferences. For hospitality, he showed a virtual concierge that helps hotel guests find local restaurants and entertainment.

The Internet-enabled screens are designed to be installed and serviced easily by one person. Howe spent about 90 seconds on a pair of thumb screws before having the screen all but removed from its mount.

Other potential retail applications include:
• Peer and online reviews
• Employee photos
• Training

Hoteliers can offer flight status updates, surveys, rewards program information and more.

EE Times: A San Francisco design house has demonstrated a technology for bringing a multitouch interface to large screen displays. Moto Development Group claims its approach can cost effectively scale an iPhone-like capability to LCD displays 60 inches in diagonal or larger. The technology is aimed at a broad range of uses ranging from interactive public signage, kiosks, collaborative computing and gaming. Moto posted a video demonstrating a prototype of its technology on a 19-inch computer display.

The Dallas Morning News: J.C. Penney is melding its online and in-store presence with something it calls a "smart fixture," a device that hasn't been given a permanent name. The door-frame-sized black structure has a neon light perimeter. Its 52-inch touchscreen runs an application that allows shoppers to scan an item to learn about the item's features, colors, sizes and even washing instructions, and that information can be e-mailed. Future smart fixtures will have credit-card readers attached, making them shopping kiosks controlled remotely from Penney's headquarters. Multiple fixtures may be clustered into self-service checkouts that can be monitored by one associate, similar to how supermarkets do it.

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SAN FRANCISCO — Ecast, a provider of place-based interactive media, announced today that its EQ high-definition, flat-panel interactive media delivery solution for the bar hospitality market has been selected as a KioskCom Self Service Excellence Award finalist in the “Best Entertainment/Gaming Deployment” category. Winners will be announced at the KioskCom Expo and Digital Signage Show in Las Vegas, May 6, 2009.

The Ecast EQ award submission highlighted how the company’s interactive media platform reinvigorates place-based entertainment and advertising for the nightclub and bar hospitality market. A solution that offers a departure from the traditional jukebox, EQ is a portrait-oriented, 40-inch full HD flat-panel touchscreen display with a graphic-rich interface that uses Adobe Flash. With the touch of a finger, EQ delivers digital music, games, video, user-generated content, targeted advertising, in-house promotional messages and social media applications to offer unprecedented engagement at the point of purchase. The Ecast interactive media platform ensures content is automatically updated, while the Ecast Central (ECC) SaaS solution provides real-time, remote content management.

The EQ, introduced in September, 2008, was designed to addresses several modern day challenges such as tech-savvy consumers who expect a media experience on par with the Web, as well as advertisers’ needs to reach an increasingly fragmented market that’s on the go. For consumers, EQ addresses the technology habits of a younger generation who use PDAs to share entertainment and information. In addition to the “hip” caché EQ lends with its photo sharing, texting and music features, EQ also gives location owners in-house promotional capabilities, allowing them to advertise their events as well as drink and food specials on the unit. Finally, the EQ offers advertisers a modern form factor with visibility optimized for out-of-home engagement.

“Ecast has upped the ante by delivering the only media platform that effectively targets and engages today’s elusive 21-34 demographic while they are out of home,” said John Taylor, president and CEO, Ecast. “Combining the interactivity of self service with the reach of digital signage and the immersion of the Internet, EQ is the preeminent solution with the added value of measurable ROI.”

Atlanta Business Chronicle: The Coca-Cola Co. this spring is poised to test new interactive flat-screen vending machines at several Simon Property Group malls across the Southeast. The high-tech venders made their debut last summer in Beijing during the 2008 Olympics. The machines, developed by Coca-Cola and interactive marketing agency Sapient and Samsung, allow consumers to buy cold beverages and be entertained at the same time. The units being tested feature a large-format touchscreen display, allowing consumers to interact and experience their favorite Coca-Cola brands while learning more about Simon promotions.

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PHILADELPHIA — GestureTek Inc., patent-holder in camera-enabled gesture control user interfaces for interactive displays, announced it will showcase its latest innovations in touch-free "edutainment" for science centers on October 18 and 19th in Booth 254 at the ASTC Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Centre.

Among the featured interactive display products is GestureTek's award-winning Illuminate Multi-Touch surface computing table, most recently installed for NASA's Marshall Space Center as part of a traveling interactive attraction.

For a NASA mobile exhibit, GestureTek and Los Angeles-based interactive agency Inhance Digital Corporation provided a multi-user game that teaches players about one of the exciting Lunar Outpost projects being developed at NASA. The multi-touch table game has four separate starting points, to accommodate multiple users. In each section, viewers have access to different parts of the Lunar Outpost, which they can rotate or zoom into to get more information. Each user has the ability to drag and drop a piece of the station into the center of the table. Together, multiple users assemble their pieces to collaboratively build the Lunar Outpost. After the users have worked together to build the Outpost, a short informative video plays that gives them more insight into the work being done at NASA.

LONDON — Customers at selected Tommy Hilfiger Denim stores can now join the Hilfiger Hall of Fame by adding their pictures to an interactive storefront campaign that launched today.

BRACKNELL, U.K. · 3M announced the appointment of rear projection specialists Paradigm Audio Visual as a 3M Digital Signage reseller in the U.K., Ireland and mainland Europe. Vikuiti Rear Projection film from 3M will be marketed and resold on a consultancy basis by Paradigm according to the specific application requirements of customers in the corporate, retail and leisure, advertising, formal travel information displays, control rooms and CCTV, TV and medical markets.

BEAVERTON, Ore. -- To launch the Company's new strategy to further expand into value-added, high-growth segments of the specialty display marketplace, Planar Systems, Inc. today announced that it has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding capital stock of privately-held Clarity Visual Systems for approximately $46 million in cash and Planar stock, subject to certain purchase price adjustments to reflect changes in balance sheet items and the number of outstanding shares of Clarity capital stock. Clarity is a leading provider of command and control digital displays and digital signage hardware and software systems for wide-ranging applications.

CALGARY, Alberta - SMART Technologies Inc. announces its participation in cutting-edge research being conducted at the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis in Tennessee for the interactive kiosk and digital signage markets. The Memphis Intelligent Kiosk Initiative (MIKI) is a research project designed to investigate the preferred and most efficient forms of human interaction with information kiosks. The Actalyst interactive overlay, from SMART, fastens securely over a large flat-panel display to create a durable, touch-enabled kiosk. Using the recordings from this kiosk, researchers are studying how visitors to the FedEx Institute access information. The three-year project is the first of its kind for the institute and will help to define objective benchmarks for the emerging interactive kiosk market.

Boston, Mass. — Nanonation, a leading provider of customer experience software for kiosks and digital signage, and LocaModa, Inc., a technology company enabling mobile consumers to use cell phones as remote controls to interact with out-of-home networks, announced a partnership to deploy mobile-enabled interactive digital signage.

 

Yorktown Heights, NY, -- IBM today announced that its researchers have built the first complete electronic integrated circuit around a single "carbon nanotube" molecule, a new material that shows promise for providing enhanced performance over today's standard silicon semiconductors.

BEAVERTON, Ore., Mar 13, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Planar Systems (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in flat-panel display systems, announced today it will be presenting at the New York Display Industry Investment Conference. The conference will be held on March 15, 2006 at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City. The Display Industry Investment Conference is sponsored by the U.S. Display Consortium and Needham & Company and will feature presentations by senior-level executives from leading publicly-traded and privately-held companies within the display industry. Planar's Chief Financial Officer, Scott Hildebrandt, is scheduled to present at 11:30 a.m. Eastern.

Toronto, Ontario — March 2, 2006 — GestureTek Inc. announced today that they have experienced a significant growth with their GroundFX product for use in the Trade and Exhibit marketplace. Tradeshow exhibits are specifically designed to draw attendance to their booths; and while technology is increasingly becoming a dynamic of this design, one product "GroundFX" an interactive floor projection, has created a whole new dimension, becoming a definitive showstopper.

Introducing VantagePoint  Sterling--- SeePoint's all new completely integrated stainless steel touch screen kiosk system for self service applications

• Sleek and contemporary design with a small footprint combines computer, LCD and touch screen
• All stainless steel construction
• Available with 15" 17" or 19" display
• Integrate with select Dell, HP and IBM computers
• Seamless integration of more than 25 peripheral options including printers, scanners, keyboards and card readers
• Reliable, cost effective solution for wide spread installation
• Fully integrated, vandal resistant design for hassle free uninterrupted use

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 2005--3M announced today its intention to build a liquid crystal display (LCD) optical film manufacturing facility in Poland to support the fast-growing LCD-TV market in Europe and to better serve its customers. Europe currently represents the largest market for liquid crystal display televisions, according to DisplaySearch, and is expected to remain the fastest-growing market through 2009. 3M plans to purchase a piece of land in Wroclaw near its existing manufacturing operation, which is about 340 kilometers from 3M's offices in Warsaw.   "We are building the plant in Wroclaw to be near our customers, such as L.G. Philips LCD, to better serve them and to better serve the largest LCD-TV market in the world," said Andy Wong, division vice president, 3M Optical Systems Division. "This investment is part of our ongoing commitment to meet the needs of the industry and our customers as we expand existing facilities and build new ones."   Over the last few years, 3M has invested to support customer growth in the LCD industry by expanding its facilities in Menomonie, Wis., and Decatur, Ala. in the United States; and by building new facilities in Kansai, Japan; Suzhou, China; Tainan, Taiwan; and Hwaseong and Naju, Korea.   3M's Vikuiti brand optical films are used to make LCD TVs significantly brighter than TVs without enhancement films, more energy efficient and more vibrant in real-life lighting conditions by optimizing and recycling light. By enabling vivid, lifelike pictures in environments ranging from natural daylight to a darkened room, Vikuiti technology offers consumers more flexibility to place a TV in a variety of locations in their homes without sacrificing picture quality.   About 3M - A Global, Diversified Technology Company Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers in more than 200 countries around the world, the company's 69,000 people use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.   Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti are trademarks of 3M.

Contacts

	3M, St. Paul Donna Fleming, 651-736-7646