FPCB makers see improving order visibility for 2Q09

Taiwan's flexible PCB (FPCB) makers including Flexium Interconnect, Ichia Technologies and Career Technology have seen their order visibility extend to between 1.5 and two months for the current quarter, thanks to customers releasing new products, according to company sources.

Ichia and Career have posted sequential revenue drops for April due to weaker demand for handset FPCBs, whereas Flexium has reported revenue growth for the month thanks to relatively better performance of FPCBs for notebooks, smartphones and panels.

Handset FPCBs account for higher proportions in Ichia's and Career's total revenues, but Flexium has a better product mix, the sources commented. Market watchers expect Flexium to see a double-digit revenue growth in the second quarter.