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NEWS & VIEWS |
Taipei,
Friday, December 5, 2008
08:01 (GMT+8)
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PCB maker Uniflex to form strategic alliance with Boardtek Nov 27, 17:14 PCB maker Uniflex Technology has agreed to acquire Boardtek Electronics' Yangzhou plant in China, while Boardtek will take a 10% stake in Uniflex through private placement, according to company sources. Read more |
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PCB maker Chin-Poon suspends China expansion plan due to sagging market demand Nov 25, 15:56 PCB maker Chin-Poon Industrial has suspended expansion plans for its Changshu plant in China due to internal forecasts that PCB demand is to remain sluggish at least until the first quarter of 2009. The company plans to secure mid- or long-term loans from banks in order to maintain sufficient cash during the weak economic times. Read more |
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Protection devices supplier Polytronics expects explosive growth for LED heat sink substrates in 2H09 Nov 24, 15:16 Protection devices supplier Polytronics Technology expects that overall sales will decline 10% in 2009 due to weak demand for printed circuit boards (PCBs) and motherboards, but in the second half of 2009 LED heat sink substrates will see explosive growth. Read more |
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PCB industry to fall 15-25%, says NPC Nov 21, 15:13 Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board (NPC) has forecast PCB industry sales are to fall 15-25% in the fourth quarter due to decreased retail demand for IT and communications products in the US. Institutional investors expect NPC to perform better than the industry average, with an up to 15% sales decline, because of its diverse product mix and close ties with first-tier customers. Read more |
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Compeq sees falling orders for rigid-flex and handset PCBs Nov 17, 15:58 Compeq Manufacturing hit record consolidated revenues of NT$2.981 billion (US$90 million) in October 2008 mainly due to booming sales of rigid-flex PCBs and handset PCBs. But orders for the two product lines have decreased since the beginning of November 2008, according to industry sources. Read more |
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Notebook PCB makers HannStar Board and GCE push back expansion projects for 2009 Nov 14, 15:24 Having downward adjusted their fourth-quarter guidance recently, the two major Taiwan notebook PCB makers – HannStar Board and Gold Circuit Electronics (GCE) – have also decided to push back their expansion projects for 2009 due to poor order visibility, according to sources at the companies. Read more |
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PCB maker GCE braces for sales decline in 4Q08 on HDI orders cut Nov 11, 12:21 PCB maker Gold Circuit Electronics (GCE) expects to see 10-15% sales decline in the fourth quarter after customers asked to delay October shipments of high-density interconnect (HDI) boards for handset and MP3 player applications. Since HDI boards are high-margin products, GCE's fourth-quarter margins are also expected to drop three percentage points to about 15%, according to the company. Read more |
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PCB makers Tripod, HannStar Board and GCE to see 5-10% sales decline in 4Q due to weakening notebook and handset PCBs Nov 11, 01:00 PCB industry players indicated PCB orders have dropped dramatically since October, as customers are seeking to delay shipments amid a weakening economic outlook. Even notebook PCB makers that maintain a more optimistic outlook, such as HannStar Board, Gold Circuit Electronics (GCE) and Tripod Technology, all have adjusted their fourth-quarter guidance downward. Read more |
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PCB maker HannStar Board shortens lead times amid declining sales in 4Q Nov 5, 11:40 Due to weak order volumes for notebook PCBs, fourth-quarter lead times of HannStar Board have decreased from four weeks to three weeks. The company said sales for the fourth quarter may decline from the third quarter. Read more |
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Stronger demand seen for rigid-flex PCB in 2H08 thanks to high-end handset and CE products Nov 4, 12:22 Although sales of high-density interconnect (HDI) boards were not as good as expected in the the third quarter due to weaker handset shipments, the performance of rigid-flex PCBs was relatively outstanding driven by demand for high-end handsets and consumer electronics (CE) products. Industry players also expect to see significant growth of rigid-flex PCB shipments in the future. Read more |
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Notebook PCB makers conservative about capacity expansion in 2009 Oct 29, 17:01 Because of weak market demand amid a slowing world economy, PCB makers HannStar Board and Gold Circuit Electronics (GCE) both failed to meet their third-quarter shipment targets and other notebook PCB makers are conservative about capacity expansion plans for 2009. Institutional investors estimate capacity growth of notebook PCBs in 2009 will be no more than 15%, despite the fact global notebook shipments are expected to grow at a brisk pace over the next two years. Read more |
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Unimicron to freeze capex for next year Oct 29, 12:04 PCB maker Unimicron Technology is conservative about the fourth quarter due to decreased orders for handset, networking and IC applications and the company has frozen its capex plans and suspended recruitment to confront the weak economy. Read more |
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PCB maker NPC expected to see 10% sales decline in 4Q Oct 24, 17:02 According to Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board (NPC), demand for traditional PCBs and wire-bonding substrates is falling but shipments of flip-chip (FC) substrates remains relatively strong. With only 3-4-week order visibility, NPC expect its sales, as well as utilization rate, in the fourth quarter will decline and the company offered no range certainty for the expected drop. Institutional investors estimate sales of NPC in the fourth quarter will decline sequentially by about 10%, depending on demand during the holiday season. Read more |
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Value of global PCB output to see 6.5% decline in 2009, says Prismark Oct 24, 01:00 Research firms Prismark and NTI were invited by the Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA) to deliver speeches during a PCB managers meeting on October 23. At the event Prismark forecast the value of global PCB output will see 3.4% on-year growth in 2008, the lowest since 2002, and will fall 6.5% on year in 2009, the first decline in seven years. Read more |
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Handset PCB maker Compeq reports September revenue growth of 21.7% Oct 14, 01:05 Taiwan-based handset-use PCB maker Compeq Manufacturing posted September consolidated revenues of NT$ 2.7 billion (US$83.4 million), up 21.7% from NT$2.2 billion in August, and up 37.6% on year; and its consolidated revenues for the third quarter reached NT$6.8 billion, up 30% on quarter, according to data from the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE). Read more |
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Unitech and Career to enter RIM's supply chain Oct 9, 13:20 Research In Motion (RIM) is planning to increase its component sourcing from Taiwan with Unitech Printed Circuit Board and Career Technology expected to benefit, according to market sources, Read more |
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TPCA Show 2008 to begin on October 22 Oct 6, 16:46 The Taiwan Printed Circuit Association's (TPCA's) annual event (TPCA Show 2008) is to be held between October 22-24. 357 exhibitors across 1,634 booths are registered to participate, breaking show records, and the show is expected to attract more than 90,000 visitors worldwide. Read more |
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TKK benefiting from IC substrate and PV customers; 2009 outlook optimistic Oct 3, 16:43 Although the general economy is weak, semiconductor equipment distributor Taiwan Kong King's (TKK's) sales and profits will continue to grow thanks to the capacity expansions of IC substrate and PV customers, stated Smale Liao, general manager of TKK. Read more |
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PCB maker Plotech to see only slight growth in October orders as holiday season demand fails to meet expectations Oct 2, 17:03 Handset PCB marker Plotech expects September consolidated sales of NT$360-370 million (US$11.2-11.5 million) with third-quarter performance better than in the second quarter. However, sales in October will only see slight growth since customers hold a conservative view about the holiday season. Read more |
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PCB drill bit market competition to remain intense in 2009 Oct 2, 13:48 Competition for market share in the drill bit market will remain fierce in 2009 due to capacity ramps by Japan-based Union Tool and Taiwan-based Topoint Technology, according to industry watchers. Read more |
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Three- and four-layer HDI board demand to increase ASPs for handset PCBs Sep 30, 16:18 In order to fulfill the demands of high-end smartphones, high-density interconnect (HDI) boards have become more advanced since 2007. As the proportion of 3+n+3 and 4+n+4 stack-in structures will continue to increase, while capacity expansion for HDI boards for handsets remains limited, handset PCB makers are expected to enjoy rising average selling prices (ASPs), according to industry players. Read more |
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HannStar Board aggressively targeting low-cost notebook market Sep 30, 12:27 For sales of PCBs for notebooks in the third quarter, HannStar Board is expected to see 20-30% sequential growth with its aggressive market share capture while Gold Circuit Electronics (GCE) may see a 5% decline due to the limitations of its cost structure, according the market sources. Read more |
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Isola sues TUC and Iteq for patent infringement Sep 24, 12:21 PCB material supplier Isola USA last week filed patent infringement complaints against Taiwan Union Technology (TUC) and Iteq with the US Patent and Trademark Office. Industry players noted that sales of TUC and Iteq may be affected in the short term while the mid- or long-term impact will be limited since it takes time for litigation to work its way through the courts,and most PCB customers will not easily change the suppliers before the court announces its judgment. Read more |
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Hitachi Chemical raising CCL prices, while Taiwan makers are reducing their quotes Sep 22, 16:42 Japan-based material supplier Hitachi Chemical Company has decided to raise prices on materials used in PCBs by about 10-25% from October in the Japan market. On the other hand, Taiwan CCL suppliers are reducing prices since supply exceeds the demand, according to industry players. Read more |
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FC shipments remain strong, but other IC substrate segments constraining overall growth Sep 19, 16:49 Taiwan investors forecast that sales for IC substrate makers in the third quarter will have only single-digit growth due to weak demand for wire bonding substrates and PCBs, which should affect companies including Phoenix Precision Technology (PPT), Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board (NPC) and Kinsus Interconnect Technology. With only shipments of flip-chip (FC) substrates remaining strong, IC substrate makers are pessimistic about the fourth-quarter outlook as well. Read more |
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J-Three to sell 95% stake in China subsidiary to Samsung Electro-Mechanics Sep 19, 01:05 J-Three (J-3) International Holding, a Taiwan-based maker of PCBs and other electronic components, on September 17 signed with South Korea-based Samsung Electro-Mechanics (SEM), a member of the Samsung Group, to sell a 95% stake in J-3's wholly owned PCB subsidiary, Unicap Electronics, located in Kunshan, eastern China, according to a J-3 filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE). Read more |
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HannStar Board expects weak growth for regular notebook PCBs amid strong netbook demand Sep 17, 01:05 HannStar Board expects its PCB shipments to the regular notebook segment to stay flat or have weak growth in the fourth quarter, as demand will have been squeezed by netbooks. Read more |
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PCB mass lamination sales to drop 30% on year in 3Q Sep 16, 12:22 In order to cut costs during an industry downturn, PCB makers have reduced their outsourcing proportion, affecting mass lamination services of copper clad laminate (CCL). According to industry players, sales of mass lamination service in the third quarter may see a 30% decline compared with last year. Read more |
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PCB makers Tripod and Career optimistic about 4Q Sep 15, 16:01 Although overall demand for PCB is not as strong as it was in the peak season, Tripod Technology and Career Technology both have had progressive monthly sales growth in the third quarter and both hold an optimistic view for their performances in the fourth quarter. Read more |
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Elite Material expects strong CCL sales to sustain through October Sep 5, 12:22 Weak seasonal demand is not weighing on Elite Material (EMC) at all as the company sees extending synergy from its new Kunshan, China copper clad laminate (CCL) plant. Thanks to growing capacity contributions from the Kunshan plant, EMC expects strong sales to sustain through October. Read more |
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Compeq handset PCB shipments expected to reach 180 million units in 2008 Sep 3, 01:10 Compeq Manufacturing, a Taiwan-based maker of handset-use PCBs, is seeing strong orders from the mid-range and high-end segments driving its sales, with shipments for 2008 expected to grow 20% to 180 million units, according to market sources. Read more |
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FPCB demand stronger that that for rigid PCB, say Taiwan makers Aug 29, 17:01 While the Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC) recently reported that shipment growth of flexible PCBs was stronger than that of rigid PCB in the North America market in July, Taiwan players indicated they are seeing a similar trend in Taiwan. Read more |
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Flexible PCB shipment book-to-bill ratio at 1.01 in North America, says IPC Aug 29, 12:35 IPC announced July findings from its monthly North American Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Statistical Program. Rigid PCB shipments are up 5.3% and bookings are down 8.0% in July 2008 from July 2007. Year to date, rigid PCB shipments are up 5.7%and bookings are up 4.4%. Compared to the previous month, rigid PCB shipments decreased 15.9% and rigid bookings decreased 18.1%. The book-to-bill ratio for the North American rigid PCB industry in July 2008 remained at 0.94. Read more |
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HannStar Board expects 3Q08 PCB shipments to rise at least 10% Aug 27, 01:05 HannStar Board expects its PCB shipments to grow at least 10% sequentially in the third quarter as a result of a seasonal upturn in the notebook market. Read more |
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Nan Ya forecast to challenge NT$11 billion in 3Q08 sales on healthy flip-chip demand Aug 27, 01:00 After enjoying strong performance in second quarter 2008, Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board (NPC) is optimistic about its third-quarter performance. Read more |
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PCB material costs on downhill trend Aug 19, 12:14 Printed circuit board (PCB) makers may see their profitability improve as soon as the fourth quarter of 2008 as prices of key materials, which include solder paste and copper clad laminates (CCLs), are declining. Read more |
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July sales flat for handset PCB makers Aug 12, 01:00 Taiwan handset Printed circuit board (PCB) makers had flat sales in July, as worldwide handset vendors remain conservative regarding handset market demand. PCB makers remain conservative about August and September as well. Read more |
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GCE and HannStar Board post mixed notebook PCB sales in July Aug 11, 14:18 The two leading printed circuit board (PCB) makers for the notebook sector in Taiwan, Gold Circuit Electronics (GCE) and HannStar Board, posted diverging sales in July, with GCE seeing its shipments fail expectations while HannStar Board had record shipments. Read more |
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Csun sees FPD and PCB customers postpone equipment orders Newswatch - Aug 11, 11:36 Despite seeing its July sales fail expectations amid the postponement of equipment procurement among flat-panel display (FPD) and printed circuit board (PCB) customers, Csun Manufacturing is confident that its third-quarter sales should maintain flat, with growing sales in the fourth quarter, according to the equipment vendor. Read more |
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Unimicron blames profitability erosion on exchange losses Aug 4, 11:38 Unimicron Technology has blamed the failure of its second-quarter profits to meet expectations to exchange losses. As demand from all major segments is showing signs of recovery, the company is still optimistic about its sales performance in the third quarter. Read more |
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ASPs for optoelectronics PCBs to drop 3-5% in 3Q08 Jul 30, 01:00 Average selling prices (ASPs) for optoelectronics PCBs are expected to drop 3-5% in the third quarter due to pressure from LCD panel clients who are seeking to cut costs to cope with slumping panel prices and weak demand, according to industry players. Read more |
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Launch of Centrino 2 launch to drive strong notebook PCB sales in 3Q Jul 25, 12:29 Printed circuit board (PCB) makers for notebook are expected to see their third-quarter sales enjoy double-digit sequential growth amid the launch of Intel's Centrino 2 platform, which is expected to further encourage sales of notebook during the traditional hot season. Read more |
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Handset PCB makers see clear bookings through August only Newswatch - Jul 24, 10:58 Despite seeing a recovery in demand from handset customers, both Compeq Manufacturing and Unitech Printed Circuit Board are still cautious about their third-quarter performance amid limited order visibility, according to company sources. Read more |
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CCL prices stable although demand from PCB clients remains weak Jul 23, 01:00 Prices for copper clad laminates (CCLs) remain stable although demand from PCB clients has yet to see a seasonal upturn, according to CCL suppliers. Read more |
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PCB maker Tripod conservative about 3Q Jul 22, 01:10 PCB maker Tripod Technology remains conservative about its prospects for the third quarter, with the company commenting that the peak season is expected to be delayed this year, and since market demand is not currently showing any major sign of improvement, the company is lacking order visibility. Read more |
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TPT and Yang An strengthen ties; aim to be largest opto-electronics PCB suppliers Jul 21, 16:24 Taiwan PCB Techvest (TPT) and Yang An Electronics both delivered an optimistic outlook about their performance expectations for the third quarter of 2008 amid a strengthened partnership between the two. Both companies attribute the optimistic outlook to the enlarged share in the opto-electronics printed circuit board (PCB) market. Read more |
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New Apple notebook orders to buoy up Taiwan PCB makers sales and profit Newswatch - Jul 18, 10:15 As Apple is said to have increased its procurement of notebook-use printed circuit boards (PCB) by 20% on quarter in the third quarter, with most of the ordered PCBs being high-interconnect density (HDI) boards, fellow PCB makers in Taiwan are expected to see big boost in corresponding sales and profit, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report. Read more |
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PCB maker GBM suffers setback in 1H08, but remains optimistic about 2H Jul 11, 15:59 Despite the low season dragging down sales for PCB maker Global Brands Manufacture (GBM) in the second quarter, the company remains optimistic about its outlook for the second half of 2008. According to company assistant VP Grace Chuang, GBM's order visibility reaches to the beginning of the fourth quarter, and with the sales outlook being positive for the peak season, the company is planning capacity expansion. Read more |
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PCB OEM Yeu Hwan to postpone fund raising on weak 2Q performance Jun 25, 15:07 Yeu Hwan Technology, an OEM service provider for inner and outer layer PCB lamination, has decided to slow down expansion due to weaker-than-expected performance in the second quarter and will postpone is planned right issue by a quarter. Read more |
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Handset PCB makers divergent over sales outlook Jun 17, 15:34 Commenting on the outlook for handset-use printed circuit boards (PCBs), leading makers Unimicron Technology and Unitech Printed Circuit Board expressed divergent views, with Unimicron saying a better outlook should be seen in the second half of 2008 while Unitech feels the sales outlook will only become clearer in late June. Read more |
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