ONTARIO GETS THE PICTURE TV ASSEMBLY SITE FIRST IN THE NATION.

Byline: KEVIN SMITH Staff Writer

CITY OF INDUSTRY -- Syntax-Brillian Corp., a leading manufacturer and marketer of flat-panel TVs, today will open what is believed to be the nation's first high-definition, flat-panel manufacturing facility in Ontario.

The 50,000-square-foot plant will initially employ about 120 workers. But another shift will likely be added later, requiring 100 additional employees, company CEO Vincent Sollitto said.

``We'll go from producing 100,000 TVs a year to about 200,000 a year,'' he said. ``We have the option of leasing an adjacent building with another 50,000 square feet. We're very happy with this location.''

Syntax-Brillian will assemble its Olevia-brand TVs in Ontario. The models will include 32-inch, 37-inch and 42-inch LCD TVs as well as 65-inch LCoS, rear-projection TVs.

After assembly, the units will be moved to the company's 100,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center in City of Industry. From there, they will be shipped to various retail locations throughout North America.

Sollitto said Syntax-Brillian wanted to assemble its products closer to the regions where they are sold, as opposed to paying higher shipping costs and import taxes on TVs assembled overseas.

The company had been making its Olevia sets in Taiwan, where its printed circuit boards and plastics for the TVs are also made. Some of the smaller sets will continue to be made in Taiwan.

The TV maker introduced its first Olevia sets in 2004, selling them only online at 20 percent to 30 percent below name-brand prices. It's now the 10th-largest maker of LCD TVs as measured by units shipped, according to market researcher iSuppli Corp.

Syntax-Brillian has established a significant retail presence throughout North America.

The TVs are sold by such national retailers as CompUSA Inc., Office Depot Inc. and Radio Shack Corp. as well as regional vendors that include Fry's Electronics Inc.

The products are also sold online through Amazon.com, Buy.com and TigerDirect.com.

Syntax-Brillian has also established distribution agreements, partnerships and joint ventures in Asia and expects to continue to expand internationally.

Mary Jane Olhasso, Ontario's economic development director, said the company was lured, in part, by the region's expansive transportation network of freeways and rail lines.

``This shows that manufacturing is still alive and well in California,'' Olhasso said. ``These are great jobs. The manufacturing sector still provides a sustainable wage that will enable you to take care of your family.''

Sollitto said it would cost less to assemble the products in Tijuana where labor is cheaper. But employee turnover, numerous labor issues and the logistics of shipping across the border ultimately made Ontario the more attractive choice.

``You really end up with very little difference in cost,'' he said.

Syntax-Brillian generated $193 million in sales for its 2006 fiscal year, which ended in June.

City officials and others will be on hand today as the company unveils its Ontario facility with an 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting and tour of the plant.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

kevin.smith(at)sgvn.com

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3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) Chris Carmona, above, moves boxes of LCD TVs on Monday at the Olevia production facility in Ontario. Below, Miguel Neri works on the assembly line at the Syntax-Brillian Corp. plant. The facility is believed to be the first HD TV assembly plant in the U.S.

(3 -- color) Martha Sifuentes, right, places a label on a 37-inch high-definition TV that was just assembled as another worker passes by at the Olevia production facility in Ontario.

Ric Francis/Associated Press