By Huang Hsiao-Ting (Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builder’s Association) Translated by Chao Ting-Yu The world’s economy saw huge turbulance last year due to the U.S.-China trade war, with tariffs becoming an important negotiation tool, and severely impacted Taiwan, as it is an export-oriented economy. Despite the first-stage talks at the end of 2019 between China and the U.S. that would hav...

By Huang Wei-Shiou Gov’t Successfully Keeps COVID-19 at Bay with Teamwork As news of the COVID-19 virus overwhelms the world, Taiwan’s government acted quickly to increase investment in expanding the country’s mask-producing volume to 60 machines. This mammoth effort was headed by domestic firms – Chang Hong Machinery and NCM Nonwoven Converting Machinery. The goal was to expand production ...

Due to the severe circumstances caused by COVID-19 pandemic, Hyundai Motor became the first global automaker to shut down operations outside of China. Its subsidiary Kia Motors also announced that they are considering to halt production due to its supply chains. South Korean mid-sized automaker Ssangyong Motor Corporation has also suspended operations in its factories. South Korea's automotive in...

The application of in-car electronics has increased with the digitalization of automotive products. In addition to the gradual popularization of audio and navigation accessories, touch screens and digital dashboards have also appeared in great numbers. With a long-standing leading position in the electronics industry, Taiwan also sees new opportunities to enter the automotive supply chain. Howeve...

In addition to the rapid development of electric vehicles in the global automotive industry, self-driving cars are also rapidly becoming a growing contender. Previously, the United States used self-driving cars to deliver the test samples of COVID-19, an indication of future self-driving applications. Taiwan has joined hands with Kingwaytek Technology Co., through the "Unmanned Vehicles Technolog...

■ Kuo Fang-lin Global Hardware Industry Trends According to market research and advisory company TechNavio’s data, the global hand tools market is slated to expand to USD$125.5 billion in market value by 2022. Moreover, North American and European markets make up over half of that market value. These two markets are no doubt, the world’s biggest export and importers of hand tools thanks to ...

■ Huang Chih-ming Slated for its sixth edition on Oct. 14 to 16, the Taiwan International Show (Fastener Taiwan) is now postponed to Sept. 2021 after careful consideration between the organizers Ministry of Economic Affairs Bureau of Foreign Trade, and implementers, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), and Taiwan Industrial Fasteners Institute (TIFI). This decision was made in c...

The advancement of technology in a country does not depend on its national power, land area or population size. It is about how the government drives tech policies and how the society aspires for tech applications. The Czech Republic is a small but highly industrialized nation at the heart of Europe. Its government has been proactive in the promotion of tech transformation and has established R&D...

2019 K Show, the leading global trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, had been held in Düsseldorf on 16-23 October, 2019. There were 3,330 exhibitors from 63 nations proved impressively: plastics continue to be an innovative, indispensable material. But they also unanimously underscored the necessity of having operational circular economies along the complete material chain and to this...

■ Hubert Chih The number of healthcare exhibitors at the 2020 CES in Las Vegas increased significantly by 23% from 2019. According to the analysis and report by the CES organizer, digital healthcare and technology were the focus in the healthcare exhibition. In addition to the continued expansion of healthcare coverage, the reduction of healthcare costs, the improvement of effectiveness and th...