Rugged PC vendor Getac Technology Corp (神基) yesterday forecast that its sales would increase “by double digits” this year, despite supply chain difficulties.
During the company’s online shareholders’ meeting, Getac chairman James Hwang (黃明漢) said that he is “pinning his hopes on the return of the US and Europe commercial market” for the second half of this year.
“The company is targeting 6 to 12 percent growth in revenue year-on-year in 2021,” Hwang said. “It’s tough, but doable.”
Photo: CNA
Getac, which was founded in 1989, produces rugged computers, mechanical components, aerospace fasteners and automotive components.
The rugged computers are designed for use in difficult environments such as in the military, medical and transportation sectors in which devices need to be water, dust and impact proof.
Hwang forecast increased demand for the company’s rugged computers as Europe and the US reopen for business.
“In the second quarter we are beginning to see more orders and an increase in demand from military and police users in Europe and the US,” Hwang said. “I remain upbeat about the second half of 2021.”
Hwang said that he expects rugged computer sales to grow by 8 to 10 percent for the whole of this year.
“Components shortage is still the wild card,” he said.
While demand for automotive components is being affected by the semiconductor shortage, Hwang said the company still hopes to reach double-digit percentage growth in sales in the segment this year.
“We have seen some delays in the orders, but demand is still there,” he said.
Hwang said that he expects sales of mechanical and electrical parts to remain mostly flat.
As raw material prices and logistical costs increase, Getac is in “rolling discussions” with customers about price increases, Hwang said, adding that most of the company’s customers are aware of the issues.
“Some products have to go up in price,” Hwang said. “After good communication with clients, they understand they must absorb some of the cost increases.”
Getac reported revenue of NT$2.27 billion (US$81.05 million) for last month, up 1.82 percent year-on-year.
Revenue in the first six months of the year was NT$14.91 billion, up 14.72 percent year-on-year.
After several years flying high as Asia’s best Nvidia Corp proxy, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) is increasingly vying with other artificial intelligence (AI) stocks for investor attention. Stock traders are chasing a wider array of beneficiaries as mainstream usage of AI creates demand for hardware beyond the most-advanced chips TSMC makes for Nvidia. Subthemes from the deepening memory crunch to advances in robotics are also luring bids. At the same time, investment caps on single stocks are pushing funds to diversify, while retail investors long familiar with TSMC through its US depositary receipts are being offered a broader set of
UNDER MICROSCOPE: Taiwan detained three people who allegedly conspired to buy servers in Taiwan and export them using fraudulent documentation, prosecutors said Nvidia Corp chief executive officer Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) on Saturday urged Super Micro Computer Inc to tighten up on compliance after Taiwan detained three people this week for allegedly making fraudulent declarations about artificial intelligence (AI) servers made by its US partner. The development marked the nation’s first crackdown on semiconductor smuggling, which grew after the US slapped restrictions on exports of high-end chips such as Nvidia AI accelerators to China. Nvidia is “rigorous” in explaining regulations to all of its partners, Huang told reporters after arriving in Taipei. “Ultimately Super Micro has to run their own company,” he said in response to
TECH RELIANCE: Growth is increasingly reflecting an unequal K-shaped distribution, where technology sectors outperform and other industries struggle, an expert said Standard Chartered Bank has significantly raised its forecast for Taiwan’s economic growth to 9.5 percent this year, up from 7.6 percent previously, citing surging artificial intelligence (AI) demand driving exports, semiconductor production and investment. The upgrade reflects a sustained AI supercycle that continues to fuel demand for advanced chips and technology infrastructure, which form the backbone of Taiwan’s exports, the bank said in a report this week. “We raise our 2026 growth forecast to reflect a much stronger-than-expected first-quarter GDP figure,” Standard Chartered senior economist for greater China and Asia Tommy Wu (胡東安) said in the report. Driven largely by a 35.3 percent
Netherlands-based semiconductor equipment supplier ASML Holding NV yesterday said that it is planning to hire an additional 1,000 people in Taiwan this year in response to growing demand from clients. ASML had previously planned to recruit 600 people this year, but that the plan has been adjusted upward, ASML vice president and ASML Taiwan general manager Grace Wang (汪佳慧) told reporters. ASML has a workforce of more than 4,500 in Taiwan, accounting for about 10 percent of its global total, Wang said. This year’s recruitment campaign would focus on adding people in the customer support, manufacturing and supply chain domains to assist ASML
RSS