Second-tier LCD system makers Amtran Technology and Jean both reported record sales last quarter, with sources saying Amtran saw its gross margins rebound to a double digit level in the fourth quarter. Jean reported strong revenue growth for 2005, while adding that it expects to report profits for the year.
Based on its record high fourth-quarter revenues, Taiwan-based LCD TV maker Amtran Technology will probably achieve profits of NT$200-250 million (US$6.23-7.79 million) for the fourth quarter, up from NT$100 million (US$3.117 million) in the third quarter. Gross margins for the fourth quarter are expected to exceed 10%, according to industry sources.
Amtran shipped about 500,000 flat panel TVs (including LCD TV and PDP TV) in 2005 with the 20-inch and smaller segments accounting for 60-70% of its overall shipments. The company aims to double its flat panel TV shipments in 2006 with the related sales accounting for more than 65% of its annual revenues this year, said company spokesman Scottie Chiu.
In addition to TV shipments, the company aims to ship 1.3-1.4 million LCD monitors this year, Chiu added.
Jean also saw its fourth quarter sales hit a record high of NT$4.6 billion (US$143). The company shipped 1.9 million LCD monitors and 200,000 LCD TVs in 2005, with its TV business accounting for 20% of its total sales last year.
The company aims to increase its LCD TV shipments this year by 150% to 500,000 units, with the sales proportion growing to 30%-40%.
|
Amtran Technology flat panel TV shipment breakdown, 2005 (thousand units) | |
|
Application |
Shipments |
|
<20-inch LCD TV |
300-350 |
|
32-and 37-inch LCD TV |
50-60 |
|
50-inch PDP TV |
16-18 |
Source: company, compiled by DigiTimes, Jan 2006.
|
Jean LCD-related product shipment forecast, 2006 (million units) | |||
|
Application |
2005 |
2006 (f) |
Y/Y growth |
|
LCD monitor |
1.9 |
3 |
58% |
|
LCD TV |
0.2 |
0.5 |
150% |
Source: company, compiled by DigiTimes, Jan 2006.
Article translated by Emily Chuang and edited by Michael McManus
