Sharp Displays Appliance, Home Entertainment and Solar Energy Products at 2005 International Builders' Show

Business Wire, Jan 13, 2005

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Sharp is showcasing a range of products in the appliance, home entertainment and solar energy categories that feature unique technologies and designs for style- and environment-conscious consumers at the 2005 International Builders' Show. While highlighting its world leadership position in both Liquid Crystal TV (LC-TV)* and solar energy, Sharp will also demonstrate the company's commitment to innovation in the appliance industry with the debut of the full line of Insight(TM) and Insight Pro(TM) Range products. Featuring the world's first Microwave Drawer(TM), either as a stand-alone unit or as part of the Insight Range, this product line offers a unique option for microwave placement.

"Sharp's Microwave Drawer represents our commitment to innovative, breakthrough products and further bolsters our offering of sophisticated and user-friendly home appliances," said Bob Scaglione, senior vice president, Consumer Electronics Marketing Group, Sharp Electronics Corporation. "Both the standalone unit and the Insight Range open up a wealth of design possibilities and feature the excellent cooking capabilities that consumers have come to expect from Sharp."

Sharp will showcase a variety of appliances that add convenience and style to the home. The new AX-700S superheated steam oven uses a combination of steam, heat and superheated steam for a healthy way to cook almost any food. Sharp also demonstrates its extensive cooking experience with a wide range of microwave ovens, including countertop, stainless steel, Over the Counter and Over the Range models, that can be installed easily and affordably in most kitchen locations. In addition, Plasmacluster air purifiers employ Sharp's proprietary technology for improved air quality anywhere in the home.

Sharp also answers the home entertainment needs of tech-savvy homeowners with the most comprehensive selection of flat-panel LC-TVs, with more than 65 models in screen sizes ranging from 13 to 65 inches. Sharp, which was recently honored with an Emmy(R) award for the technology behind the AQUOS(R) LC-TV line**, offers the industry's widest assortment of designs, colors and screen sizes, making AQUOS ideal for use in any room of the home.

Sharp has more residential solar energy systems in operation than any other manufacturer, with more than 100,000 installations worldwide. In response to growing interest in clean, renewable energy in this country, Sharp began marketing its solar products in the U.S. in 2002. Sharp is the only company in the U.S. offering residential solar electric systems consisting of solar modules and a Sharp manufactured inverter meeting UL and IEEE 929 standards. Sharp's Sunvista inverter (model JH3500U) is also compatible with other manufacturers' solar modules. Sharp's system includes a solar power LCD monitor allowing homeowners to measure their system's impact on the environment in terms of electricity generation and CO2 reduction.

Sharp will highlight the following key products at the International Builders' Show. For additional details, please see individual product press releases.

Insight Pro Microwave Drawer (model KB-6015): The 30-inch wide stand-alone Insight Pro Microwave Drawer offers consumers a unique placement option for the microwave, ideal for open-plan kitchens, islands and tight spaces. The world's first drawer configuration for a microwave, Sharp's Microwave Drawer provides consumers with an alternative to a countertop unit that features excellent cooking capabilities, design flexibility and sophisticated style. The Microwave Drawer will be available in February for a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $899.99.

Insight and Insight Pro Ranges (models KB-3300, KB-3411, KB-3425 and KB-4425): Sharp leverages its long history of cooking experience to introduce the company's first line of major appliances, Insight(TM) Range and Insight Pro(TM) Range, which combine a smooth glass ceramic cooktop and conventional oven with the world's first Microwave Drawer, all neatly arranged in a beautifully-styled, 30-inch wide chassis. Available in freestanding or slide-in configurations (KB-4425), Sharp offers consumers a new and innovative solution for kitchen design that addresses the key question of where to put the microwave. Model KB-3300 is currently available nationwide in a variety of outlets, while models KB-3411, KB-3425 and KB-4425 will be available in March 2005 for MSRPs ranging from $1,399.99 to $2,349.99.

Superheated Steam Oven (model AX-700S): The new AX-700S superheated steam oven offers consumers a healthy way to prepare their favorite foods, with the convenience and versatility that characterizes Sharp's cooking appliances. Based on a unique technology that combines heat with superheated steam, it enables optimal food preparation, providing the benefits of steam cooking to a wider variety of foods that are roasted, grilled or baked in the oven. The AX-700S will be available in early summer for an MSRP of $1,399.99.