Sharp Manufacturing Company of America

Sharp Manufacturing Company of America (SMCA) is a manufacturing subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, located in Memphis, Tennessee. Established in 1979, the plant initially produced color televisions and microwave ovens, making 77,000 color televisions and 18,000 microwaves in its first year. Over the decades, SMCA expanded its production capabilities, adding personal computers and solar panels. In the late 1980s, the plant began exporting microwave ovens to Europe and by 1989 was assembling about 1 million color televisions and 900,000 microwave ovens annually. In December 1997, Sharp opened a new television plant in Rosarito Beach, Mexico, to shift smaller-screen TV production from Memphis; the transition was completed by November 2002. On October 17, 2003, SMCA began producing solar panels, its first such facility outside Japan, with an initial 20-megawatt annual capacity. Solar panel production ceased in March 2014, eliminating 300 jobs. In March 2005, the factory began producing the built-in microwave drawer, a revolutionary appliance that transformed kitchen design. On February 25, 2020, Sharp celebrated the 1 millionth microwave drawer produced at the plant. SMCA remains an active manufacturing facility for Sharp Corporation.

Sharp Manufacturing Company of America (SMCA) was established in 1979 in Memphis, Tennessee, as a manufacturing plant owned by Sharp Corporation. It initially produced color televisions and microwave ovens, making 77,000 color televisions and 18,000 microwaves in its first year. In the late 1980s, the plant began exporting microwave ovens to Europe and later started producing personal computers. By 1989, it was assembling about 1 million color televisions and 900,000 microwave ovens annually. In December 1997, Sharp opened a new television manufacturing plant in Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico (SEMEX) to shift smaller-screen TV production from Memphis. The shift was completed in January 2001 for most direct-view TVs and in November 2002 for other TV models. On October 17, 2003, SMCA began producing solar panels, its first manufacturing facility outside Japan, with an initial 20-megawatt annual capacity. Solar panel production ceased in March 2014, eliminating 300 jobs. In March 2005, the factory began production of the built-in microwave drawer, and on February 25, 2020, Sharp celebrated the 1 millionth microwave drawer produced at the plant.

• 2020

  Sharp celebrates the 1 millionth microwave drawer produced at the plant.

• 2014

  Solar panel production at the plant ceases, eliminating 300 jobs.

• 2005

  Factory begins production of the built-in microwave drawer.

• 2003

  SMCA begins producing solar panels, first such facility outside Japan.

• 2002

  Shift of other TV models from Memphis to Mexico completed.

• 2001

  Shift of most direct-view TV production from Memphis to Mexico completed.

• 1997

  Sharp opens new TV plant in Rosarito Beach, Mexico, to shift smaller-screen TV production from Memphis.

• 1989

  Plant assembles about 1 million color televisions and 900,000 microwave ovens annually.

• 1979

  Plant established in Memphis, Tennessee, producing color televisions and microwave ovens.

A key overseas manufacturing base for Sharp Corporation, known for producing televisions, microwave ovens, and solar panels for the U.S. and export markets.

• Color televisions

  Produced from 1979; by 1989, about 1 million units annually.

• Microwave ovens

  Produced from 1979; by 1989, about 900,000 units annually; exported to Europe in late 1980s.

• Personal computers

  Produced at the plant at some point after the late 1980s.

• Solar panels

  Produced from October 2003 to March 2014, with 20 MW annual capacity.

• Built-in microwave drawer

  Production began March 2005; 1 millionth unit celebrated February 2020.

• Unconfirmed

  Starr Manufacturing sues woman over one-star Google review[2]Starr Manufacturing 因一星谷歌评论起诉一名女性independent.co.uk

  Reported: 2026-08-27

  Starr Manufacturing Inc., a gas production equipment manufacturer in Vienna, Ohio, filed a defamation lawsuit in the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas against a Columbus woman over an allegedly false one-star Google review. The company seeks more than $25,000 in damages and a court order barring her from publishing false statements about the company.

1. 1Sharp Manufacturing Company of Americaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Starr Manufacturing 因一星谷歌评论起诉一名女性independent.co.uk
3. 3Ohio company sues woman over one-star Google review, seeks more than $25,000 in defamation lawsuiteconomictimes.indiatimes.com
4. 4US company sues woman over her 1-star review on Google, claims defamationhindustantimes.com