Sony to sell PC business, increase TV focus on 4K products, lay-off 5000 staff

Electronics giant Sony is to sell off it's Vaio business to concentrate on smartphones and tablets.

Sony has confirmed plans to sell its PC business - the Vaio brand - to investment firm Japan Industrial Partners, with an agreement set to be finalised by the end of March.

"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.

Around 250-300 personnel are expected to be hired by a new company formed by JIP, with Sony ceasing all manufacturing and planning of PC products.

In the TV business, which has been under reform since 2011, Sony intends to increase production of high-end 4K and 2K TVs. It will also split out the TV business as a wholly owned subsidiary by the end of July 2014.

As a result of the changes, Sony expects to lay off around 5000 employees by the end of the 2014 financial year - 1500 in Japan and 3500 overseas.