Ko Ja (Cayman), a maker of Membrane Touch Switches (MTS) used mainly for notebook keyboards, has been actively investing in chemical and optical materials while strengthening its foothold in the Noteook computer (NB) market by acquiring stakes in upstream supplier firms. Ko Ja's new investments are applied in the healthcare, lighting, and aesthetic medicine industries.
Polarizer maker Cheng Mei Materials Technology (CMMT) expects a steady improvement in operations this year, with a stronger second half of 2024. The company is developing new applications with clients across different sectors and has sustained limited impact from the Cyclo Olefin Polymer (COP) shortage.
E-paper solutions provider E Ink Holdings (EIH) anticipates revenue will be at its lowest for 2024 in the first quarter of 2024 before increasing and sustaining growth through the final quarter of 2024.
The demand for LED products is gradually warming up following a period of inventory adjustments in the market. While LED companies experienced a general decline in revenue for February 2024, they have been bolstered by steady demand in consumer and automotive applications. Ennostar and Everlight Electronics reported a double-digit year-on-year growth in cumulative revenue for January and February, with performance in the first quarter of this year poised to see year-on-year growth as well.
Qisda Chairperson Peter Chen announced that the group will be picking up its merger and acquisition pace this year, as several of its subsidiaries are slated for IPO and the conglomerate seeks partnerships in key components in the healthcare, AI, 6G, and satellite fields.
Touch screen solutions provider Ape Material Technology (AMT) is set for listing on the Taipei Exchange (TPEx) or the over-the-counter market in early April 2024. Chairperson Lillian Chao has expressed optimism that the company's revenue for the year will surpass that of 2023, with a minimum gross profit margin of 40%.
Amid the yet-to-recover PC market, Taiwan-based touch module maker TPK experienced on-year declines in multiple indexes in 2023. TPK has outlined its strategy for 2024 as "focusing on stabilizing its core business while expanding into new sectors," targeting growth in new energy, LiDAR, and 3D printing.
Affected by a shrinking consumer market, Young Optics experienced a significant drop in revenue and profits in 2023, and the struggles have continued in 2024. New star products failed to boost operations, and the momentum for mixed reality (MR) new products from US clients has been limited. It also missed out on the highly anticipated AI Pin. The company is now looking to capitalize on niche applications like 3D printing and automotive products to drive new gains.
As global geopolitical tension, economic instability, and persistent inflation affected the recovery of consumer products, Coretronic's shipments and revenue declined in 2023. However, the commencement of mass production at its second Vietnamese factory in February is expected to boost the business this year, and more significant growth is expected in 2025. Overall, since some of Coretronic's projects would only officially commence in the fourth quarter of this year, a stronger growth momentum is anticipated in 2025.
Display Driver IC (DDI) manufacturer FocalTech pointed out that with the overall smartphone market's recovery in the fourth quarter of 2023, the shipment momentum for smartphone Touch DDI (TDDI) and AMOLED touch IC has significantly increased, resulting in quarter-on-quarter revenue growth. Despite that, the continued price competition for TDDI has restricted the revenue growth rate. Fortunately, improvements in the product portfolio have boosted the company's profit margins.
Taiwan-based E Ink Holdings (EIH), a provider of e-paper solutions, has launched a recruitment initiative to hire an additional 150 individuals for capacity expansion over the next 2-3 years. This is part of a broader expansion plan that includes increasing production lines and office buildings.
Display driver IC (DDI) specialist Novatek Microelectronics anticipates that revenue growth will be driven by OLED DDI sales this year. Additionally, the company is targeting a bigger presence in the TV SoC market.
Taiwan-based display giants AUO and Innolux have stepped up their non-display business deployment. AUO has seen a 20% increase in revenue from its vertical business solutions, and Innolux has set up various programs to shift its workforce to more non-display talents.
As rumors pick up of Apple holding a product launch as early as March to unveil its latest iPad Pro, speculation has reached beyond the usual display and processor upgrades and how increased specs will drive sales. Market observers are also watching how Apple will adjust its iPad line, which currently spans multiple generations and spec variations: in particular, if Apple chooses to discontinue its 10.2-inch 9th generation iPad, it will leave a void in the US$300 price range, which may lead to a substantial shift in sales numbers in the overall market.
Taiwan-based polarizer maker Cheng Mei Materials Technology (CMMT) has acquired a 33.7% stake in Opals Chemical Technology, a subsidiary of Advanced Echem Materials Company (AEMC), for NT$308 million (US$9.85 million), as it looks to expand into a new semiconductor business.
Panel manufacturers on both sides of the Taiwan Strait plan to reduce production significantly during the Lunar New Year, encouraging a price rebound. This scheme has prompted white-box TV suppliers and second-tier TV brands to increase their order volumes while panel prices are still low. Industry experts predict increased utilization rates at panel factories due to this order surge but warn that this could lead to a less robust peak season.
TCL CSOT CEO and COO Zhao Jun talked about automotive display tech breakthroughs and inkjet-printed OLED progress in an exclusive interview during CES 2024.
Asia Optical, an optical components manufacturer, is diversifying its business by collaborating closely with LG Innotek (LGIT) in the high-end mobile and car lens sectors.
Recently, news has come out from the South Korean industry that the US Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has recently decided to accept the arguments of Chinese panel manufacturer BOE and other companies and started to fully adjudicate the invalidity cases of Samsung Display's (SDC) three patents for its Diamond Pixel structure.