Taiwan-based light engine maker Young Optics, a subsidiary of backlight unit (BLU) maker Coretronic, has announced consolidated revenues of NT$5.6 billion (US$174.61 million) for 2009 and a net profit of NT$429 million, dropping 20.1% and 29.3% respectively compared to 2008.
Gross profit reached NT$1.49 billion for 2009 with a 26.52% operating margin and an EPS of NT$4.02.
Young Optics attributed the decreases in revenues and profit mainly to decreased demand for niche-type products and optical modules for rear-projection TVs.
The company expects revenues of pico-projector modules to account for 10-15% of its total revenues in 2010. It expects 44-49% of its total revenues in 2010 to come from optical modules for rear-projection TVs, 16% from niche-type LED products and 11-14% from optical modules for projectors.
Claude Hsu, president of Young Optics, cited research firm data saying that the pico projector market is expected to reach 18.19 million units in 2010. The threshold for supplying pico-projector modules to first-tier handset vendors are 9 lumens per watt in brightness, 5cc in size and a sub-US$50 ASP, Hsu said.
Young Optics is already capable of meeting first-tier handset vendors' brightness and size requirements, and expects ASP to drop below US$50 by the end of first-quarter 2010.
Article translated by Yvonne Yu
