Backlight unit (BLU) maker Coretronic expects to post a 10-20% shipment increase in 2021, thanks to increasing output for energy-saving applications from its factory sites in Vietnam and China.

To sustain its future growth, the company will enhance its deployments in some forward-looking industries, including image identification, AI and value-added cloud services.

To meet its goal, the company plans to increase its capex for 2021 to NT1.265 billion (US$45.33 million) from NT$1.15 billion spent a year earlier. It will buy new machinery and expand its cleanrooms at the plants in Vietnam and China, according to Sarah Lin, president of the company's energy saving device unit.

Judging from the orders on hand, the company expects its shipments of TV BLUs to increase significantly in 2021, Lin said.

Total BLU shipments for TV, notebook and monitor applications will grow 10-20% in 2021, up from 45.72 million units shipped a year earlier, she added.

Its image solutions and visual products, including LED lamps and projectors, totaled 780,000 units, valued at NT$10.921 billion, down 18% and 25%, respectively, from a year earlier.

Overall, it posted net profit of NT$1.56 billion in 2020, up 35% on year. EPS for 2020 stood at NT$3.59, up from NT$2.65 a year earlier.