Taiwan's Industrial Computer Makers Post Solid Sales Performance in Q2

Taipei, April 16, 2008 (CENS)--With increasing orders from clients, Taiwan's makers of industrial computers have posted solid sales results for the first quarter of this year and are expected to maintain that performance in the second quarter, according to industry sources.

Diamond Flower Electric Instrument Co. (DFI) scored higher-than-expected sales revenue of NT$321 million in the first quarter, thanks to a big order, valued at about US$4 million (NT$124 million at US$1: NT$31), from International Business Machines Corp. in March, as well as others from Japanese clients for motherboards and scanners. Despite a possible decline in its April revenue, the firm may most likely maintain its revenue at a level of NT$300 million in the month.

Receiving orders for industrial LCD (liquid crystal display) displays from Europe, WinMate Communication Inc. saw its sales revenue hit a single-month high of NT$135 million in March. The company indicated that demand for industrial computers stays strong this year and sales of embedded computing and digital display among its product portfolio will help its overall business operations grow significantly in the year.

Filling orders for industrial computers from the world's gambling industry, WinMate Communication Inc. reported March revenue of NT$153 million, only next to its all-time monthly record of NT$156 million and up 20% from NT$125 million posted a month earlier.

IBASE scored as strong aggregate revenue of NT$335 million in the first quarter of this year as done in the fourth quarter of last year, a peak season of a year, due mainly to an influx of orders for industrial computer systems for gambling machines, motherboards and network security appliances.

During the second quarter, the company will start delivery to clients in the gambling industry in the U.S. and the Philippines and win new orders for digital displays and auto computers from the U.S. Based on existing orders on hand, the company is estimated to score April revenue of about NT$140 million, slightly growing from NT$136 million posted a year earlier.

In the meantime, Portwell Inc., benefiting from orders for POS (point of sale) systems from Europe, scored sales revenue of NT$747 million in the first quarter, up 27% from a year earlier. With clients' resilient need for network devices, industrial computer products and product projects, the firm is expected to post as solid revenue in the second quarter as in the first quarter.

With its electronics products for medical use well received in Europe as well as robust sales of industrial automation and control applications, AAEON Technology Inc. posted sales revenue of NT$550 million for the first quarter, growing 22.98% from a year earlier. In the second quarter, the firm will probably see its revenue surge from the first quarter due partly to its efforts on exploring the European market and partly to growing sales of digital displays.

Incidentally, ICP Electronics Inc. is scheduled to complete construction of its eight new production lines in Shanghai between April and May and will see its sales significantly grow in the second quarter. On the other hand, ADLINK Technology Inc., after fully acquiring U.S.'s Ampro, is also expected to see its April revenue hit a single-month high.

Sales Performance of Taiwan's Industrial Computer Makers in Q1, 2008 Unit: NT$100 million
Company	March Revenue	Aggregate Revenue for Q1	Annual Growth in Revenue for Q1
Diamond Flower Electric Instrument Co.	3.21	8.93	38.42%
WinMate Communication Inc.	1.35	3.35	43.14%
WinMate Communication Inc.	1.58	4.3	18.21%
Portwell Inc.	2.70	7.47	26.89%
AAEON Technology Inc.	1.96	5.5	22.98%
ICP Electronics Inc.	3.59	9.14	35.16%
ADLINK Technology Inc.	1.89	5.2	9.54%

Source: Companies