Asustek Computer has decided to officially separate its own-brand and OEM notebook business units and will also aim to solicit OEM orders from the world’s top-five vendors, vice chairman TH Tung said yesterday.
Under the plan, Asustek will shift its OEM notebook orders to its 100%-owned subsidiary, Asusalpha Computer, Tung said.
The separation is to be implemented under the request of its OEM clients who are concerned about conflicts of interest between Asustek’s own-brand and OEM notebook business, Tung stated.
However, Tung noted that Asusalpha will still remain a 100%-owned subsidiary of Asustek, with its revenues and profits to be reflected in Asustek’s consolidated financial report.
Asusalpha, which currently manufactures notebooks Apple Computer, Sony and Samsung Electronics, will position itself as a competitor to other notebook makers such as Quanta Computer, Compal Electronics and Wistron, to win OEM orders from the leading vendors like Dell, Hewlett-Packard (HP) and IBM, Tung indicated.
Asustek will then focus its efforts to promote own-brand and ODM notebook business, Tung said, noting that Asustek is also studying the possibility to outsource part of its notebook production to other contract makers to further bring down its costs.
In addition, Asustek will also carry out new acquisitions to further integrate and strengthen its operations, Tung said.
Details of the company’s acquisition plans will be made public in two weeks, Tung said, noting that the target companies will not be second-tier notebook makers like Clevo as rumors have stated.
Article translated by Steve Shen and edited by John McClure
