Taiwan PCB makers expect strong 4Q09 Shipments

Most Taiwan PCB makers are optimistic about the fourth quarter, during which shipments may reach the peak of 2009.

Handset PCB makers indicated demand has increased significantly thanks to new products launched by first-tier handset vendors. Compeq Manufacturing estimates its handset shipment volume will grow 5-10% sequentially in the third quarter and continue to increase in the fourth. The company has seen relatively stronger demand for feature phones.

Unitech Printed Circuit Board expects fourth-quarter revenues to hold level or grow slightly from the third driven by mid-range and high-end handset products, while Tripod Technology estimates its handset PCB shipments will at least stay flat thanks to orders from Korea-based customers. Unimicron Technology also expects to see high shipments in the fourth quarter.

In terms of notebook PCBs, both HannStar Board and Gold Circuit Electronics (GCE) said orders remain strong and shipments in the fourth quarter may be the highest level of 2009. However, Tripod expects its notebook PCB shipments to decline in the fourth quarter as demand will drop after the end-year holiday season.

Tripod has seen orders for optoelectronics PCBs increase since the second quarter and expects the momentum to remain strong in the fourth ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday shopping in early 2010. Taiwan PCB Techvest (TPT) estimates orders for its optoelectronics PCBs will slow down since demand has already been strong for two quarters, but the decline will be small.

source from:http://www.digitimes.com