APD: Technology-Driven Innovation Powering Global Growth
In the fiercely competitive global power supply and renewable energy industries, Asian Power Devices Inc. (hereafter "APD") stands at the forefront of Taiwan's power sector. Backed by strong innovation and R&D capabilities and a distinctive organizational culture, APD continues to lead the market. As the company faces challenges from industrial upgrades, international market expansion, and business scale growth, APD leverages a highly efficient, innovation-driven team to advance organizational evolution, strengthen its competitive edge, and capture industry attention.APD's new factory in Vietnam is set to open at the end of October. Credit: APDStrong R&D and Efficient Teams Power Global ExpansionFounded in 1994, APD inherited a deep technological foundation and extensive industry resources from its Chairman, who established Phoenixtec Power in 1978.Phoenixtec's leadership in the UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) market laid a solid R&D and industry foundation for APD's formation. In 2007, Phoenixtec was acquired by U.S.-based Eaton Corporation, which quickly became a cornerstone of Taiwan's power supply industry. Today, APD continues to serve major global OEMs in electronics and medical equipment.In response to evolving market trends, APD has in recent years expanded into renewable energy, launching a line of photovoltaic inverters (PV inverters) under its brand PrimeVOLT, which has established a leading position in Taiwan through technological excellence and quality. The group's China-based subsidiary, Senergy, offers customized inverter and energy storage solutions, advancing steadily in global market development.500 Engineers Driving Innovation and Competitive StrengthAPD currently employs around 3,500 people, including over 500 R&D specialists, underscoring the company's strong commitment to technological innovation. With R&D centers in Xizhi, Taoyuan, and Shenzhen, and expanding production bases in Vietnam and Shenzhen, APD has established an integrated R&D and manufacturing network across Asia. This robust innovation force not only fuels APD's product development but also supports its leading position in both the power supply and PV inverter markets.APD Vietnam's new factory automation production line enhances production efficiency. Credit: APDTechnology-Oriented Management Philosophy: "No Benchmarks"General Manager Sara Tsai, with over a decade of experience in power product R&D and international management, has previously served in key roles at Phoenixtec Power and Eaton, gaining deep industry insight and managerial expertise. She emphasizes that APD is a technology-based, innovation-driven company focused on ODM business models, achieving profitability through differentiation rather than participating in OEM or own-brand competition - thereby avoiding conflicts of interest with clients.Known for her approachable yet confident leadership style, Sara Tsai is both decisive and meticulous in her decision-making. She advocates a management philosophy of "no benchmarks," believing that APD should remain technology-driven at its core while continuously optimizing its organizational structure and operational processes. Whether in Taiwan or mainland China, her goal is to build APD into a value-oriented enterprise capable of sustainable growth.She believes that a value-driven enterprise should have a solid structure that enables employees to find meaning and develop skills through their work. "Working together is a matter of fate," she says. "We don't pursue lofty declarations - just a genuine, practical approach to managing a happy, sustainable, and valuable enterprise." This sense of authenticity and persistence defines APD's unique competitive identity.A Simple Culture That Builds Soul and CohesionAPD believes that maintaining an optimal scale and stable operations helps keep the organization simple and efficient. From top to bottom, the company is guided by technology rather than politics. As Tsai humorously notes, "People who are too complicated soon realize that overthinking doesn't work here - before long, they become simple too." As Canadian scholar Henry Mintzberg once noted, "an organization without a well-defined culture resembles a person without a distinct personality - externally complete in form, yet revealing more of its structure than its spirit," and it is precisely APD's distinct organizational culture that gives the company both soul and cohesion.Employees are encouraged to anticipate and satisfy customer needs, identify problems, and propose innovative solutions. Cross-department collaboration fosters both product innovation and process optimization. This open, trust-based atmosphere enables teams to respond swiftly to market changes while maintaining operational efficiency. APD also emphasizes talent development and knowledge transfer, partnering with universities such as National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, and local institutions in Vietnam to transform industry experience and technical expertise into core organizational strengths.Talent-First, Low Turnover, and Resilient WorkforceWhile many technology companies face labor shortages, APD experiences minimal impact. Tsai noted that APD's China operations, being less capital-intensive and supported by strong management and automation, have kept turnover in Shenzhen as low as 2-3%.Competitive compensation and benefits also contribute - "good enough to surprise even Simplo," she jokes. However, she notes that in Taiwan, technical talent is harder to find and the workforce is aging. The company anticipates similar challenges in Vietnam and has already begun planning accordingly.Regardless of labor market fluctuations, APD adheres to a talent-first approach. Many PrimeVOLT employees are long-time colleagues who have followed Tsai from previous companies - a rare phenomenon given current cross-strait realities. She attributes this loyalty to APD's approachable and empowering leadership, stable scale, and non-political work environment, which make the company an attractive and enduring workplace.Global Strategy: Playing on the World StageAs competition intensifies in China, APD is accelerating its global expansion, shifting its growth focus from China to international markets. Based in China, Senergy is gradually expanding its overseas business while adapting its services to meet the needs of each local market. APD's new Vietnam factory is scheduled to open in late October, and the Shenzhen facility will relocate and expand in Q1 2026. These moves not only address evolving operational requirements but also further optimize APD's global supply chain. Strategically, APD is following major electronics OEMs to establish its Vietnam operations, to supply products to the U.S. market.Tsai noted that the new Vietnam factory and the upcoming Shenzhen facility will initially focus solely on producing power supplies. The Shenzhen facility is planned as a Smart Factory, equipped with Industry 4.0-based automation and has already achieved Level 3 Smart Manufacturing certification. Serving as a manufacturing hub, it will support the group's future capabilities in AI technology, automation, and operational efficiency.In its international market expansion, APD adheres to the principle of "winning through technology, managing professionally," steadily growing its global customer network through high-quality products and tailored services. The group's two main business units will continue refining their products and services in selected strategic markets, while strengthening industry linkages and technical exchanges to enhance global competitiveness. "Our goal is not only Taiwan - we aim for the Asian Cup and the World Cup," Tsai emphasizes.Optimistic Outlook, Steadily Raising Revenue TargetsCurrently, APD's annual revenue is approximately NT$10 billion. Tsai believes this scale supports both management efficiency and a healthy corporate culture, enabling profitability while remaining flexible to market fluctuations. She admits that post-pandemic supply chain shifts, industry conditions, and the so-called "Trump 2.0 effect" have made the operating environment more complex, yet the group continues to expand steadily.Looking ahead, Tsai stated that she will build on the company's existing resources to drive performance growth, expressing confidence in APD's future prospects. She has set a revenue target of NT$15-30 billion and plans to pursue an IPO at the right time. In particular, for the China operations - where employees hold shares - the IPO commitment will be carried out under a win-win principle that benefits both the company and its employees.APD's power supply products are highly competitive in the market. Credit: APDContinuous Innovation, High-Performing Teams Infused with ColorTo sustain growth, APD will continue investing 8-10% of annual revenue in R&D and strategic development, strengthening collaborations to jointly leverage resources against China's aggressive market. Facing opportunities brought by industry digital transformation and the green energy wave, APD leverages its unique position as a Taiwanese enterprise to connect non-mainstream supply chains, gain competitive advantages, and expand diversified services.APD has "its own distinctive way of operating, creating an organization culture that touches the heart and infuses its structure with soul - like adding beautiful color to clear water with dye." Clearly, APD exemplifies the high-performing teams described by Henry Mintzberg.For more information about APD please visit.
