Top notebook PC maker plans factory in Suzhou

The chairman of First Interna-tional Computer Inc (FIC, 大眾電腦), one of Taiwan's largest computer makers, said that the company will build a notebook computer factory in China next year, according to local Chinese-language media.

Chien Ming-jen (簡明仁) said that a schedule for setting up the factory has yet to be established.

"The factory may be located near Suzhou, where Taiwanese computer parts manufacturers are clustered," said Horace Chiang (蔣洪墀), CEO of FIC.

Chiang said that such manufacturing networks would be beneficial for computer manufacturers in expanding operations in China, reducing the need to import parts from Taiwan and thereby saving costs.

The new plant will probably have a production capacity of 100,000 notebook computers per month, Chiang said. FIC expects to produce 1.5 million notebook computers this year. FIC's monthly notebook production is currently over 100,000 sets, Chiang said. FIC's sales in China include PCs, mother boards, scanners and bare boards for PCs.

FIC has investment ties with Formosa Plastics Corp (台塑), which has stakes in other technology companies such as memory chipmaker Nanya Technology Corp (南亞科技) and chip designer VIA Technologies Inc (威盛電子).

Last Month, FIC announced it earned NT$223.15 million, or NT$0.15 a share, for the six months ended June 30, compared with earnings of NT$183.80 million, or NT$0.14 a share, in the same period last year.