Samsung Said to Begin Laptop Outsourcing in 2012

Taipei, Dec. 20, 2011 (CENS)--Taiwan's industry executives said Samsung will farm out its first-time outsourcing contract for laptop computers to pure manufacturers in 2012, and a Taiwanese ODM-based manufacturer has landed an insignificant contract.

Samsung has been cranking out the computers by itself at an in-house factory in Suzhou, mainland China.

According to informed sources, Samsung has approached Taiwan's contract suppliers, namely Quanta Computer Inc., Compal Electronics Inc., and Pegatron Corp, over outsourcing deal. However, these contacted companies said Samsung was just asking around for contract manufacturing information rather than being serious about finding a contract manufacturer.

But some insiders pointed out that Samsung has begun outsourcing laptop computers although the volumes are insignificant and will remain low in 2012.

Samsung's Suzhou factory has a maximum production capacity of 17 million laptops a year, but its shipments have topped 11 million systems, sparking speculations that the company would be plagued by capacity shortage soon. Industry executives estimated the company is unlikely to boost in-house capacity to deal with the growing number of laptop models.

They estimated that the Samsung's outsourcing would constitute a boon to Taiwan's manufacturers although the volume might be insignificant in the beginning.

Samsung has set ambitious goal for its laptop shipments, planning to deliver 17-19 million systems in 2012. It is likely to miss the goal of 17 million systems for 2011 , given the shipments of 9.7 million systems seen in the first three quarters of 2011. The company is estimated to ship 11-12 million systems by the end of 2011. Even so, the company is ranked the world's No.8 brand-name laptop supplier.