Merck has fundamentally reshaped its business strategy, evolving over a decade from a display-focused powerhouse into a crucial semiconductor materials supplier. Following its recent acquisition of Unity-SC, the German materials giant plans to rebrand its "Display Technology Solutions" business unit as "Optoelectronics" in 2025. The company's semiconductor segment currently generates 80% of its revenue, marking a dramatic shift from its display-centric past.
Shinkong Synthetic Fibers continues to navigate through Europe's prolonged automotive market downturn by implementing proactive diversification strategies and making a strategic entry into AI server supply chains. The company presented a mixed outlook, with European automotive demand remaining weak, but its expansion into new markets and products fostering cautious optimism.
Leading offshore wind turbine component maker Yeong Guan Energy Technology has announced that mass production at its Taichung plant will begin in 2025, while its plant in Thailand will begin trial production in mid-2025. Amid the trend toward supply chain diversification, the company has already received numerous inquiries from European companies about production in its Thailand plant, potentially boosting growth next year.
Qualcomm is unlikely to pursue any transactions with Intel, a decision that aligns with industry expectations. Sources close to the semiconductor supply chain suggest Qualcomm never seriously considered the move, doubting the potential for mutual benefit.
When the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) announced the Qi2 wireless charging standard in 2023, attention was on its integration progress into smartphones. Supply chain members, however, believe the real growth lies in its application to wearables like earphones. Unlike the saturated smartphone market, the wearables segment shows significant momentum for expansion, which would boost demand for related chips.
Topco Technologies, which distributes silicone and other chemical materials, is optimistic about demand for AI servers, but the outlook for the automotive sector is bleak.
Taiwan-based Qisda Group, with over 200 affiliated companies, continues to expand its global footprint under its "Grand Fleet Strategy." Chairman and CEO Peter Chen highlighted the group's proactive risk management approach through a "three-pronged strategy," rooted in the principle: "Do not rely on the enemy not coming; rely on being prepared for them." This strategy transforms potential risks into opportunities by ensuring readiness before challenges arise.
Touch panel maker GIS posted a net loss of NT$73.86 million (approx. US$2.28 million) for the first three quarters of 2024, a marked improvement from the NT$1.8 billion loss a year earlier. Chairman Hsien-ying Zhou highlighted a three-pronged strategy: enhancing touch display products, global capacity planning, and diversifying into optical modules.
In September, Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced Orion, a highly anticipated prototype of augmented reality (AR) glasses, during a private event. Marketed as a potential smartphone replacement, Orion signifies a pivotal step in Meta's pursuit of next-generation computing technologies.
Shuang Bang Industrial, a specialized maker of synthetic resins and functional fabrics in Taiwan, is optimistic about its 2025 performance. As global inventory levels continue to normalize, the company is benefiting from the burgeoning AI electronics market, which has already extended order visibility into the first quarter of 2025. This segment is contributing approximately 15% of total revenue, according to general manager Rita Hsu.
Nvidia is poised to begin mass production of its GB200 super chip, with founder and CEO Jensen Huang announcing that the supply outlook exceeds expectations and shipments will proceed according to plan. This development promises to not only boost shipments for server ODMs like Quanta Computer and Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) but also usher in a significant growth phase for component suppliers.
SSD sales have been buoyed by specifications upgrades, according to industry sources, while DRAM module sales have exhibited signs of weakness. In 2024, they predict that SSD sales will surpass those of DRAM modules.
AI was the name of the game for the semiconductor supply chain in 2024, according to IC distributor WPG Holdings, yet shifting supply-demand balance may lead to slightly slower growth in the semiconductor market next year. In the automotive market, as carmakers gradually end inventory adjustments, WPG is seeing initial results from its investments into integrated automotive solutions, as it targets Japanese Tier 1 suppliers.
India, once the world's fastest-growing wearable market, saw a substantial fall in shipments for two quarters in a row as vendors reduced product launches and maintained cautious inventory policies.
Recently, Meta unveiled its new augmented reality (AR) glasses prototype, Orion, alongside the smart glasses, Ray-Ban Meta, which was developed in collaboration with Ray-Ban. This announcement is expected to reignite interest in the metaverse and AR/VR technologies.
Following a five-year hiatus, Hiwin resumed its in-person earnings call, providing an updated outlook for 2025. The company expects increased economic clarity post-US presidential election, projecting strong growth momentum in the US market. End markets such as semiconductors, aerospace, and infrastructure are expected to perform favorably, while the automotive sector is anticipated to remain comparatively soft.
Kaori Heat Treatment Co. approved the formation of a wholly-owned subsidiary focused on thermal solutions at an extraordinary shareholders' meeting on November 12, transferring its thermal energy division to the new entity, Kaori Thermal Technology. The restructuring aims to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen the group's positioning in the growing artificial intelligence infrastructure market.
Acer subsidiary AOpen achieved its highest profits in 22 years during the third quarter of 2024. The company attributes this growth to long-term efforts in various markets and customer relationships, which have stabilized following the pandemic. There has also been a noticeable increase in shipments for certain projects in Europe and the US in the second half of the year.
Sixxon Tech, a specialized supplier of precision metal parts, anticipates robust growth in thermal management, semiconductor, and optical communication sectors in 2025. The company aims to reduce its reliance on automotive components as it focuses on new markets.
Taiwan's leading precision metal stamping specialist, G-Shank Enterprise, reported that revenue from non-3C applications—such as automotive, medical, and industrial sectors—grew to 56% in the first three quarters of 2024. This diversification fueled both revenue and profit growth for the company, while AI-related applications will serve as the primary growth driver in 2025, according to President Ying-Shou Lin.
With Nvidia planning GB300 after GB200, scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2025, industry sources believe liquid cooling demand is poised to surge in 2025.
The highly anticipated Nvidia RTX 50 series display cards are set to launch, with suppliers optimistic about its market impact. A key display card cooling supplier, Auras Technology, is gearing up for increased demand. Yu-Shen Lin, chairman of Auras, noted that the RTX 50 series could become the most popular display cards ever and may seize the whole market starting in December.
Semiconductor testing interface leader WinWay has achieved record-breaking performance, driven by robust demand for AI, HPC applications, and AI smartphones. The company's AI and HPC product lines have experienced significant growth, pushing its third-quarter revenue to an unprecedented high, with both revenue and profit for the first three quarters setting new records.
Taiwanese hinge and precision components provider Jarllytech reported that its revenue performance in October remained flat, with a slight month-over-month decline primarily due to the postponement of mass production for new foldable devices from Chinese clients until late October, which resulted in lower-than-expected shipments for the company's mobile product line this month.
