Print

Mail

wiki links

Amtran says shipments may grow 30% next year

Amtran Technology Co Ltd (ßúúÍΡÐü), which manufactures flat-panel televisions for Vizio Inc, the US¡¯ No. 3 TV producer, yesterday said shipments may grow 30 percent to 5.2 million units next year as a result of growing demand for high-definition TVs and new orders.

Suzhou Raken Technology Ltd (áÌñ¶äÅúÍ), a joint venture Amtran formed on Sept. 1 with the world¡¯s second-largest manufacturer of liquid-crystal-display (LCD) panels, LG Display Co Ltd, will also help push up shipments next year, the company said. Next year, the shipments may expand by an additional 30 percent to around 5.2 million units, Wu said.

Suzhou Raken will primarily assemble LCD panel modules and TV sets for Amtran and South Korea-based LG Electronics Co.

Amtran said it was not worried about the economic slowdown in the US, which the company said might instead become a boon for Amtran as consumers seek bargain deals at large retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Amtran supplies products to TV makers who mostly sell their products though those retailers.

¡°I am optimistic about the fourth quarter as TV demand in the US recovers significantly after the Beijing Olympic Games,¡± Amtran chairman Alpha Wu (çïõðÛ¡) told reporters at a press briefing.

Growing demand for high-¡©definition televisions was the driving force behind sales, as the US government is scheduled to complete switchover to digital-only broadcasting in February next year, Wu said.

¡°That is a much-awaited piece of positive news for the panel industry, though the recovery could be short-lived,¡± Morgan Stanley analyst Frank Wang (èÝäÌä¬) said.

¡°Falling panel prices did stimulate demand. We are seeing orders coming into the end of the year,¡± Wu said.

Shipments are expected to expand by 30 percent to 1 million units next quarter from the third quarter, Wu said.

For the whole year, Amtran expects to ship 4 million flat-panel TVs, largely LCD models, including 3 million units to Irvine, California-based Vizio, in which Amtran holds a 23 percent share, Wu said.

That will represent about 80 percent expansion from last year¡¯s 2.2 million units, a company statement said.

Revenues are expected to grow at a slower pace of 14 percent to NT$80 billion (US$2.5 billion) next year from about NT$70 billion this year, Wu said.
This story has been viewed 1048 times.