Zhen Ding Technology Group, a global leader in printed circuit boards (PCBs), is optimistic about its 2025 performance, with first-quarter orders showing promising demand. The company aims to continue advancing into high-value, high-tier products, with artificial intelligence (AI) expected to account for 70% of its product applications by 2025, up from 50% in 2024.

After expanding into the LED bicycle light and electric-assisted bicycle markets, PCB manufacturer Eiso Industrial has formally joined TSS Holdings. The move is part of the company's strategy to collaborate with fellow members and strengthen its global footprint. Eiso plans to focus on high-value applications for its core PCB material research and production, particularly in satellite communications, aerospace, and 5G technologies. Additionally, the company is ramping up operations at its Guishan factory to meet the growing demands of these emerging markets.

Despite the first quarter of 2025 being a traditionally slow season for consumer markets and the overall PCB order momentum weakening, the demand for AI servers and low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite applications is expected to continue heating up, providing a moderate growth boost for Taiwan's PCB industry.

The PCB industry is facing intense price competition, causing operational losses for companies like Career Electronic, Flexium Interconnect, and Uniflex Technology. Although a recovery in the global flexible printed circuit market was anticipated in 2024, weak consumer demand and ongoing price pressures have hindered progress. In contrast, niche manufacturers like Complex Micro Interconnection (CMI) are experiencing steady operational improvements.

PCB manufacturer Zhen Ding Tech has announced that its board of directors has officially approved the appointment of Professor Chen-Fu Chien, Vice President of National Tsing Hua University, as the new General Manager. In this role, he will assist Zhen Ding in accelerating digital transformation and connecting the semiconductor industry chain.

Amid changing trade policies and rising geopolitical tensions, economic ties between Taiwan and Japan are strengthening. Taiwanese companies are eager to deepen their links with the Japanese supply chain, enter the Japanese market, and acquire Japanese firms, although their success varies greatly.

Zhen Ding Technology Group (ZDT) is accelerating its global expansion and recently broke ground on its new Taiwan headquarters in Taoyuan. Set for completion by late 2028, the facility is positioned to become a key hub for Taiwan's PCB industry.

Driven by strong demand for cloud equipment and a favorable base effect, Topoint Technology, a manufacturer of PCB drill bits, witnessed significant growth in its operations in 2024 from a year ago.

With consumer electronics in a seasonal downturn and no strong market recovery in sight, ABF substrate leader Unimicron expects first-quarter revenue to dip by a single-digit percentage. The company expects clearer visibility on 2025 orders after the second quarter but remains upbeat on the demand for AI servers and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) in the second half.

Daxin Materials is making strides in the semiconductor industry by launching five new products in 2024, increasing its production lineup to nine. This expansion is significant as revenue from this sector has surpassed 10% for the first time. The company plans to introduce three to five more products by 2025.

Fueled by the surging demand for CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) components in intelligent driving systems and consumer electronics, Will Semiconductor (WillSemi), the company behind OmniVision, has in recent years eclipsed its American and Japanese rivals to emerge as China's dominant supplier of sensor components. Orchestrating this remarkable ascent is the low-profile yet formidable Renrong Yu.

Flexium, a flexible circuit board manufacturer, held an investor briefing indicating that 2024 will be a year of transformation challenges. After the operational low in the fourth quarter, the company expects to have passed the trough and plans to actively develop its transformation, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) transmission technology while continuously adjusting its mobile device product line. The goal is to achieve profitability in 2025 and fully bounce back in 2026.

Walsin Lihwa, a leading manufacturer of cables and stainless steel, believes that a potential ceasefire in the Ukraine-Russia conflict could significantly boost demand for stainless steel. This increased demand would span various sectors, including factory equipment, petrochemical facilities, home appliances, and the automotive industry. As a result, such development would greatly benefit the company's operations.

Despite facing headwinds in the overall automotive market, Panjit continues to report impressive growth. Chief Operating Officer Edgar Chen stated that the company aims for an annual growth rate of 35% in the automotive field in 2025 and plans to establish a factory in Vietnam to meet overseas client demands.

The rise of AI-powered glasses in 2025 is injecting fresh momentum into the recovering consumer electronics market. However, as Chinese brands drive a cost war in smart eyewear, Taiwan's component suppliers face a strategic crossroads: compete on price or carve out niches in high-end technology.

Following BYD's debut of its "God's Eye" intelligent driving system, the already limited supply of 8-megapixel (8M) automotive CMOS image sensors (CIS) has quickly become a shortage, according to industry sources in China.

With the ongoing development of new-generation processors, the introduction of PCIe Gen5 specifications into high-end PC applications is set to commence in 2025. According to Micron Technology, Gen4 products currently represent 25% of PC applications, and it is expected that half of these will transition to Gen5 over the next year.

Rayzher posted consolidated revenue of NT$633 million (approx. US$19.34 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, marking a 68.24% year-over-year increase and a new quarterly record.

Microcontroller (MCU) maker Nuvoton held its earnings call for the fourth quarter of 2024 on February 18, during which Chairman Yuan-mou Su pointed to a drop in the automotive segment for the fourth quarter due to increased competition from China. However, with ongoing inventory adjustments, performance is expected to rebound in 2025. Furthermore, MCU's gross margins have remained steady, and the company will continue to optimize costs to maintain its competitive edge in the market.

Forcera Materials is set to be listed on the stock exchange in late March. As one of the few Taiwanese companies with fully integrated capabilities in advanced ceramic material R&D, manufacturing, surface processing, and cleaning, Forcera Materials specializes in three key product categories: ceramics, quartz, and silicon. Many leading global semiconductor manufacturers are among its major clients.

Force-MOS Technology, currently involved in litigation with Asus, saw its profitability impacted by substantial legal fees in 2024. According to market analysts, the company needs monthly revenue of NT$100 million (US$3.05 million) to achieve break-even in 2025 if costs remain at current levels.

Major Taiwanese printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers are actively investing in setting up facilities in Southeast Asia due to the region's geopolitical considerations, rising demand for servers, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as investment incentives. Topoint Technology and Aurona, two providers of related consumables and equipment, are following suit, looking for fresh contracts as additional plants are anticipated to start production in 2025.

Japan-based Shibaura Electronics, a global leader in negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor manufacturing, has established a special committee to evaluate a tender offer from Taiwanese passive components maker Yageo.

Silitech Technology, a subsidiary of Walsin Technology, has invested JPY6.75 billion (approx. NT$14.4 billion) to acquire a 45% stake in FDK Corporation, a leading Japanese maker of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. This strategic move marks Silitech's entry into the energy and power products market, shifting from its previous focus on automotive and mechanical components.

Increasing demand for high-performance computing (HPC) chip testing, particularly driven by AI applications, led Chunghwa Precision Test Tech to achieve record revenue and profit in the fourth quarter of 2024. With solid test board orders through April, the company anticipates a strong first-quarter performance, potentially setting new seasonal records.