"...DVD discs are all but flying off of retailers' shelves, and Panasonic is taking bold steps to meet the demand. Panasonic Disc Services Corporation and its Japan-based parent company, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., are planning a massive, worldwide expansion of DVD disc production capacity.

By the end of 2000, Panasonic will more than double its global output to 14 million discs per month, from the current monthly level of 6 million discs. The U.S. Consumer Electronics Association identifies DVD players as the fastest selling consumer electronics product of all time. By the end of this year, combined North American production capacity for the Panasonic DVD plants in California, Illinois and Mexico will rise to 10 million monthly units. The two Japan-based facilities will increase total output to 2.8 million units per month, while the Ireland factory will expand monthly capacity to 1.2 million units..."