Leatec Fine Ceramics, a Taiwan-based alumina substrate supplier for chip resistor manufacturers, expects its fourth-quarter 2009 revenues to grow from NT$190 million (US$5.84 million) in the third as demand remains strong.
Supply of upstream substrates is still tight, and order visibility has extended to the first quarter of 2010, according to industry sources. ASP of Leatec's alumina substrates has risen by 10-20%, while the company indicated the range is far less than the adjustment of Japan-based makers.
Leatec has entered the supply chain of a first-tier automotive component maker and begun shipments in small volume. The company expects the segment to become one of its major growth drivers – in addition to the chip resistor sector – in the fourth quarter, and see increased contributions in 2010.
Article translated by Meiling Chen
