Major backlight unit makers Coretronic and Radiant had strong sales in August

Major Taiwan-based backlight unit (BLU) makers Coretronic and Radiant Opto-Electronics both enjoyed strong sales last month, with both seeing a sequential sales growth of over 25%.

Coretronic said its consolidated revenues grew 30% sequentially to NT$5.56 billion (US$169 million), up from NT$4.29 billion in July.

Shipments of its BLUs reached 4.03 million units in August, up 22% on month, with TV-use products jumping 80% sequentially to 477,000 units, Coretronic pointed out. The BLU business generated NT$3.69 billion in August, up 44% on year, and accounted for 66% of the company's overall monthly sales.

Coretronic's projector shipments also increased to 45,600 units during August, up 8.6% from 42,000 in July, Coretronic added. The company expects to see shipment growth of more than 60% for its projectors this month.

Radiant also enjoyed a record revenue level in August at NT$2.17 billion, representing a 26% sequential increase. Shipments of its BLUs for small- to medium-size and TV applications both grew more than 45% sequentially, said the company.

Radiant expects revenues to rise 10% sequentially in September, the company projected.

Forhouse, on the other hand, saw shipment growth of only 7.9% to 1.64 million units in August, sources said, without revealing any reason for the slight shipment growth. The BLU maker has not reported its August sales result.

*Coretronic's BLU business accounted for 66% of Coretronic's August consolidated revenues.
Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, September 2006.

Source: Companies, compiled by DigiTimes, September 2006.

* Radiant BLU shipments include light guide panel shipments.
Source: Companies, compiled by DigiTimes, September 2006.

Article edited by Carrie Yu