The global large-screen public flat-panel display (FPD) market is rebounding after declines in 2012 and flat growth in 2013. According the NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly FPD Public Display Shipment and Forecast Report, the market is expected to grow 14 percent in 2014 and 27 percent in 2015, as economies gradually recover from the global economic downturn.

“Strong growth of LCD display shipments will offset the rapid decline of commercial plasma display production,” said Ken Park, senior analyst of Korea technology market research for NPD DisplaySearch. “In order for traditional plasma display companies to stay in business and remain relevant in the marketplace, they have shifted their production from plasma to LCD, or they have contracted with others to manufacture and sell LCD public displays. Since their relationships remain strong in certain vertical markets, these companies continue to focus sales efforts in these core areas. This strategy will help increase LCD shipments.”

Figure 1: Worldwide Public Display Shipment Forecast by Technology

Source: NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly FPD Public Display Shipment and Forecast Report

Within the market for large-screen public displays, the interactive white board (IWB) sector is expanding, due to increased governmental investments in education. With the forecasted growth rate of 50 percent, IWB shipment volume will reach approximately 650,000 units in 2015. While the primary market drivers are large government-backed education projects in China and Turkey, Japan is also rumored to begin a second tender for a major education investment.

Starting in Q2’14, shipments of monitors and notebook PCs used in business environments exceeded expectations, due to the ongoing PC refresh cycle and continued Windows XP migration. “The business PC market has lately been outperforming the consumer market,” Park said. “If this trend continues as forecast, we can expect to see a positive effect on the digital signage market.”

Other factors contributing to renewed growth in the public display market:

• The introduction of ultra-narrow-bezel (UNB) panels from Samsung and LG Display in 2014 eroded the premium price for UNB displays and reinforcing video wall market expansion
• The expansion of low-cost entry-level public display models in 2015

“Rising industry expectations, more aggressive business targets, soaring education tenders, and macro-economy improvement in emerging regions, public displays are attracting more attention in the display industry,” Park said. “In addition, increasing average screen sizes will contribute to more revenue growth, even though unit sales are still small, compared to other products.”