DFI is sharpening its focus on edge AI and long-lifecycle industrial markets as global supply chains shift and AI deployments accelerate. At the company's investor briefing on November 17, DFI president Claire Tien said the Taiwanese industrial computer supplier plans to build its next phase of growth around manufacturing strength, localized production and long-term project stability.
Tien said DFI aims to avoid short-term shipment spikes and instead help customers bring AI into real-world environments at a measured pace. The company is targeting high-margin segments with extended product lifecycles as part of a strategy to deepen customer stickiness and widen its technical moat.
Manufacturing shifts toward localization
Over the past year, DFI has moved from simple capacity expansion to a broader upgrade of its manufacturing structure. Tien said the company is building a cross-regional production network that connects factories in Taoyuan and Hanoi with overseas partners. The goal is to create flexibility across low-volume customization, mass production and system assembly to support demand in edge AI, smart manufacturing, transportation and energy.
Tien noted that global agility and local responsiveness are becoming essential as component lead times remain uncertain. The company is increasing its ability to deliver locally, building multi-tier production capacity and positioning Taiwan as a manufacturing center for its next generation of AI products.
Managing component shortages
With memory and certain components facing renewed shortages and price increases, Tien described the situation as a fresh stress test following the pandemic. DFI has increased safety stock, improved order visibility with customers and adjusted inventory allocation by product category. The company is also adopting multi-vendor sourcing to reduce risk.
DFI has activated group-level procurement across Qisda headquarters, DFI and its subsidiaries to consolidate demand and negotiate more stable supply. The company will continue monitoring market conditions closely, she said.
Edge AI and robotics gain momentum
DFI plans to make ruggedized edge AI systems its core product line. These devices target traffic systems, energy infrastructure, industrial automation and defense applications, where equipment must withstand heat, vibration, dust and wide temperature swings. Tien said customers are accelerating adoption as confidence grows in system reliability and field stability.
Robotics and drones are emerging as medium- to long-term growth engines. As robots become more intelligent, Tien said they require 24-hour operation, high reliability and energy-efficient computing platforms. DFI's systems support remote maintenance, wide-temperature operation and fanless designs and are compatible with AI accelerators such as Hailo and DeepX on both x86 and Arm architectures. The company sees growing demand in autonomous mobile robots, collaborative robots and inspection systems for agriculture and energy infrastructure. Sample shipments increased significantly in 2025, and Tien expects drones and defense systems to make a direct contribution to revenue in 2026.
Vertical markets and group integration
DFI will continue to focus on six verticals and five regional business zones, with headquarters coordinating major projects. Factory automation remains the largest segment and accounts for 40 to 50 percent of revenue. These are long-cycle projects with stable demand. DFI will expand collaboration with subsidiaries, pairing its computing and design capability with group-level system integration and field deployment to create more complete industrial solutions.
Tien said the company now serves as the group's center for edge AI and computing platform integration. DFI plans to use group resources in manufacturing, procurement, logistics and local service to strengthen its position in high-value markets.
Financials
DFI reported consolidated revenue of NT$2.772 billion (US$89 million) in the third quarter of 2025. Gross margin was 24.2%, operating profit reached NT$147 million and net profit totaled NT$106 million, with NT$75 million attributable to the parent company. For the first three quarters of 2025, consolidated revenue was NT$8.272 billion, operating profit reached NT$2.169 billion and net profit was NT$385 million, with NT$283 million attributable to the parent firm.
Article translated by Sherri Wang and edited by Jingyue Hsiao
