Taiwan Unity Opto Technology Inc. and Formosa Epitaxy Inc. (FOREPI) have seen a bright outlook as demands for LED backlights meat for LCD TVs are picking up.
Opposite to a low season for the first quarter for the LED industry, FOREPI’s order visibility is quite clear into this quarter thanks to strong orders from Unity, which supplies LED backlight modules to the world’s top five TV brands—Samsung, LG, Sharp, Matsushita and Toshiba.
According to FOREPI executives, volume of the orders from customers has increased more apparently into this quarter after they began ramping up contracts last month. South Korean TV makers were the major buyers of LED backlight modules last month. Japan and mainland China TV makers also join them.
Based on strong TV market, FOREPI believe its sales for this quarter would rise from last quarter. And Unity Opto has helped to make contribution for FOREPI’s part of the growth.
According to Unity Opto Chairman Alpha Wu, the company’s supplies have recently expanded into Japanese and mainland Chinese TV makers following reaching South Korean manufacturers. The company had signed up the Chinese mainland’s top five TV makers as its customers and bagged at least one fifth of the world market. The company’s 2012 revenue from TV backlight sales is estimated to rise to NT$5-6 billion (US$166-200 million at US$1:NT$30) from last year’s NT$3.5-4 billion (US$116-133 million).