Taiwan's TFT Panel Industry Sees Improving Fortunes
March 8, 2001 (TAIPEI) -- Manufacturers of large-sized TFT panels generally saw their February deliveries rise from the recent trough, with Chi Mei Electronics Corp. outpacing other firms in terms of volume.
Taiwan's top five makers of TFT panels rolled out a total of 539,000 units in February, up 31.5 percent from January. Chi Mei accounted for more than 150,000 units, marking an impressive monthly growth of 66.7 percent.
That represents a turnaround from the beginning of the year, when the performance of the local panel industry was sluggish as a result of a massive cleanout of stocks among downstream distributors at the end of 2000.
Most local panel makers, including Acer Display Technology Corp., Chi Mei, and HannStar Display Corp. witnessed a slump in their deliveries in January. Worst hit was Chi Mei, whose January deliveries fell by around 30 percent to 90,000 units from December's 131,000 units.
Unipac Optoelectronics Corp. and Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd. were exceptions to this trend. Unipac's shipments doubled, and Chunghwa's shipments grew slightly from December.
Since the beginning of February, when demand started heating up, the industry has sensed a hint of spring in the air. A Chi Mei spokesman said that the company originally projected February deliveries of large-sized TFT panels at a mere 130,000 units, roughly the same as in December. But the firm was relieved to receive urgent requests from its downstream clients to increase deliveries. As a result, Chi Mei has emerged as the biggest panel maker in February.
Chi Mei was followed by Acer Display, with February deliveries of about 120,000 units.
When asked about the outlook for the industry over the next few months, the Chi Mei spokesman said that the company is optimistic, provided that the prices of TFT panels remain at the current low level. This low level is regarded as crucial for reviving market demand.
Related story: Acer, Chi Mei See TFT-LCD Shipments Pick Up
(Commercial Times, Taiwan) |
