Recent news from the Chinese language newspapers.
Skyworth to partner with Epson for RPTV production
Skyworth will become the first China-based TV maker to produce RPTVs. The China RPTV market is currently dominated by companies from Japan and South Korea. [Xinhuanet, August 31]
Acer 1H revenues jump 54% on year, EPS at NT$1.15
Acer recorded first half consolidated revenues of NT$98 billion and profits of NT$2.4 billion. Acer achieved 48.5% of its 2004 financial forecast in the 1H. [UDN.com, August 31]
Epistar to stop shipping blue LEDs to Korea
Epistar stopped shipping blue LED to Korea clients in July, and the company claims it was not the leader in cutting prices in the Korean market. Market estimated that Epistar may record August revenues of NT$200 million. [UDN.com, August 31]
DisplaySearch: LCD panel demand to lag supply 12% in 3Q
DisplaySearch predicts LCD panel demand will lag supply 12%, up from the originally predicted 6.1%. The lag should decrease to 8% in 4Q. [UDN.com, August 31]
Chicony revenues slide 5% on year in 1H, EPS at NT$1.71
Chicony Electronics’ revenues dropped to NT$640 million in the 1H, a 5% fall on year. The company is scheduled to acquire 51% of Skanhex Technology by year-end. Chicony expects its consolidated revenues to jump 20% on month in August. [DigiTimes]
Asus: 1H profits at NT$7.3 billion, EPS at NT$3.28 [UDN.com, August 31]
CCL maker Iteq announces second financial forecast increase
Iteq raised its financial forecast to NT$5 billion. The company had already raised its forecast to NT$4.5 billion. Iteq sees ramping capacity from China as the chief driving force to raising its forecast. [UDN.com, August 31]
DVD burner shipments to peak over the next three months, BenQ and Lite-On IT optimistic about shipment goals
BenQ expects to ship over one million DVD burners during the peak shipment season in September and October while Lite-On IT also expects shipments to reach a million units in November. [DigiTimes]
Taiwan ranks fourth as attractive investment location in Asia
Taiwan went from the second to the fourth most popular investment location in Asia while Hong Kong climbed from sixth to second place after it signed the CEPA contract with China. [China Times, August 30]
BenQ considers assembling LCD monitors in Europe
In response to the recent news that the EU plans to impose a 14% tariff on imported LCD monitors, BenQ said it is considering sourcing the assembly to companies with plants in Europe, including First International Computer and Wistron. [Commercial Times, August 31]
VIA and SiS to start volume shipments of PCIe chipsets
VIA Technologies expects to volume ship chipsets supporting FSB 1066MHz in mid-4Q and is scheduling shipments for chipsets that support a Dual PCIe interface. Silicon Integrated Systems is scheduled to ship PCIe chipsets from October. [DigiTimes]
Taiwan to have more than 50 listed PCB makers in 2005
According to market estimates, there are about one thousand PCB makers in Taiwan, with about 50 makers to be listed on the TSE by 2005. A market rebound since 2H 2003 has accelerated the listing schedules. [DigiTimes]
Disc maker Ritek unveils DVD+R DL disc
Ritek yesterday launched its DVD+R DL disc at its China plant, while reaffirming its investment details. The company invested US$200 million for the initial stage and an additional US$20 million is scheduled for the second stage. [DigiTimes]
Taiwan PCB makers to delay shipments due to water shortages caused by the typhoon
Industry makers stated that some shipments may be delayed due to a tight water supply caused by the typhoon last week. Makers indicated that the water per ton price has increased 60 fold. The area around Taoyuan has suffered the most. [DigiTimes]
BenQ gains 16x DVD burner orders from Dell, say sources
Sources stated BenQ won orders from Dell and will become the company's second OEM partner, after Lite-On IT. Lite-On claimed its present orders from Dell are confirmed and not affected by any OEM partnership between Dell and competitors. [DigiTimes]
PCB makers in dilemma over plant location
Taiwan PCB makers, suffering from a recent water shortage, are considering moving to China. However, China is hindered by an unstable electricity supply. Industry makers are also undergoing capacity reallocation, migrating away from low-margin mobos. [DigiTimes]
Escalating VoIP equipment demand pushes network equipment procurement
VoIP system providers may see rising network equipment demand in line with the escalating demand of VoIP among enterprises. Alcatel indicated that enterprises will schedule network equipment procurement plans in addition to their VoIP plans. [DigiTimes]
WLAN makers welcome Centrino migration to new WLAN standard
Intel's announcement it will upgrade the Centrino to the 802.11a/b/g standard has WLAN makers commenting that the move may affect the dominant position of Atheros, while also increasing the use of multimedia applications and generating business. [DigiTimes]
Planet Technology achieves 49% of its 2004 revenue forecast in 1H
Taiwan-based Planet Technology generated revenues of NT$556 million in 1H, with pre-tax profits of NT$120 million and gross margins of 28%. The network equipment vendor expects revenues in 2H to account for 60% of its full-year revenues. [DigiTimes]
Article edited by Michael McManus
