Notebook PCB makers see increased utilization rate and sales in February due to strong netbook demand
Demand for notebook PCBs has been gaining momentum, especially for netbooks PCBs, thanks to rush orders and inventory buildup from customers. Taiwan’s leading notebook PCB makers Gold Circuit Electronics (GCE) and HannStar Broad both saw sales and utilization rates increase in February. GCE has reported consolidated sales of NT$1.12 billion (US$32.19 million), up 47% on month while HannStar Broad estimates a 25% sequential sales growth in February.
The utilization rate of GCE’s plant in Changshu, China has increased to 80%, and its plants in Suzhou and Taiwan have also returned to 60-70% utilization. The company said it has already received notebook PCB orders for April.
GCE expects first-quarter sales to drop 10-15%, while shipments of notebook PCBs will hold level on quarter. Shipments of GCE’s notebook PCBs in the fourth quarter of 2008 totaled 4.7 million units. The company’s notebook PCB shipment goal for 2009 is 30 million units, with netbook PCBs accounting for 10-15%. GCE’s total notebook PCB shipments in 2008 were 28 million units, 10% of which were netbook PCBs.
HannStar Board’s February utilization rate was over 50% and it is expected to grow to 60-70% in March, according to the company.
HannStar Board’s order visibility can be seen until the end of March. The company has begun receiving orders for April, and it does not rule out the possibility of seeing 10-20% sales growth in the second quarter. HannStar Board’s traditional notebook PCB shipments last year were 50 million units, and shipments of netbook PCBs totaled 6.6 million units.
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