VAR to resell protective film for LCD flat panels

A specialist in display-enhancement products has been appointed as a VAR in Europe for a film that can protect LCD flat-panel displays in harsh and hazardous environments.

3M has appointed Optical Filters, a specialist in the design and manufacture of display-enhancement products for flat-panel technology, as a value-added distributor of its Vikuiti ARMR200 LCD protection film in Europe.

Optical Filters will cut and supply the ARMR200 film to UK customers from its factory in Thame, using local distributors or agents in Scandinavia, France and Italy.

The agreement will provide Optical Filters with a leading edge in the electronic-display enhancement sector enabling its existing military and avionics customers to benefit from the most reliable, ruggedised products on the market.

It will also enable the company to expand into new areas such as financial/ATM and industrial, as well as data collection in the warehouse and postal industries, for example.

"The growth of flat-panel displays is fuelling our business and we see an immediate market opportunity for the protection and longevity of LCD touch screens used in a wide variety of applications from mobile and handheld devices to self-service checkouts, ATMs and ticketing machines", comments Peter Fisher, Sales Director, Optical Filters .

He continues: "Military devices that use touch screens as a user-interface, such as notebook PCs, are under constant danger from impact damage and abuse in hazardous environments so a sacrificial front layer is a useful ally to have".

"ARMR200 films offer removable protection, increase strength and durability, and reduce failures and breakages in the field".

The ARMR200 film from 3M fits well with Optical Filters' manufacturing capability and the company is able to cut the film in a way that maintains its optical integrity.

Using specialist machining techniques, the company provides a highly accurate and cost effective method of reworking the film into standard or complex shapes.

"3M has been working with Optical Filters for over 10 years, and our experience of the company's profound knowledge and expertise in the cutting and handling of optical materials sealed our decision to appoint them as an ARMR200 distributor", says Xavier Lecocq, Market Development Manager, 3M Optical Systems Division.

This new co-operation bridges the gap between ARMR product development and delivery to the end customer.

Optical Filters will stock sheets of the film and will process according to customers' precise instructions and volume requirements.

Other value-added services include optical lamination, if customers do not have in-house optical handing capability, quick lead times and fast delivery.

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