The emergence of new sapphire substrate applications has brought many opportunities for the Taiwanese sapphire industry, according to the Commercial Times. Supply not meeting demand is becoming increasingly apparent. Patterened sapphire substrate (PSS) manufacturer Ridgetech Mircoelectronics has taken the top position for profit. Legal persons estimate that the company’s EPS last year reached more than NT $5 (US $0.16). The doubling of production capacity this year has been driving up stock prices early. Emerging stocks increased 7.62 percent last Thursday with closing price at NT $150, making Ridgetech take the top spot in profit, stock price, and production capacity.
Looking back on the rise of sapphire in 2011, sapphire companies Tera Xtal Technology Corporation, Chrystalwise Technology, Chrystal Applied Technology, and Acme Electronics Corporation all had high stock prices. Stock prices for Chrystal Applied Technology for example broke NT $200 in 2011, compared to closing prices on February 27 with NT $20.06 for Tera Xtal, NT $38.95 for Chrystalwise, NT $46.4 for Chrystal Applied Technology, and NT $51.9 for Acme Electronics. Sapphire companies have reduced a lot after two years of industry adjustment.
Taking into account sapphire company profits last year, legal persons are optimistic that Ridgetech will take the top position for profit earned. Part of the Apple supply chain, Chrystal Applied Technology saw high shipments. Legal persons estimate that the company earned at least EPS NT $1 last year since there was a turnaround during the second half of last year. Chrystalwise Technology also saw an increase in revenue and will see loss turn to profits after getting rid of small sized inventory after 2Q14. ProCrystal Technology and Tera Xtal Technology took advantage of the trend to even out the year’s revenue. The companies even started to develop new semiconductor applications which will be the key to profit this year. Acme Electronics increased utilization this year to restart production expansion. The company will have the opportunity to transition from loss to profit during March.