Solartech to add recruits due to increasing orders Nuying Huang,Taipei;Jackie Chang,DIGITIMES[Monday 4 June 2012]Taiwan-based solar cell maker Solartech has been experiencing high capacity utilization rates.The firm has said it plans to recruit additional workers in June.Capacity utilization rate was around 75%in May,said Solartech.With full capacity expected in June,the market predicts Solartech will reach break-even in June revenues,although Solartech declined to make any predictions on revenues and profits.
According to industry sources,the average selling price(ASP)of solar cells has been increasing,with rising orders,Solartech has seen clear order visibility for June.
Solartech reported May revenues of NT$717 million(US$23.87 million),up 8.99%on month but down 1.76%on year.Accumulated revenues from January-May reached NT$3.058 billion,a 55.90%on-year decrease.
Due to limited workforce,some equipment has not been put into operation,said Solartech.
The firm indicated that market conditions in the third quarter are hard to predict.
According to Solartech,about 50%of orders are from the solar market in Europe.The rest are mainly from the US,Japan,India and China.The firm pointed out that Europe is still the world's largest solar market.However,uncertainty surrounding incentive policies has been causing firms to seek demand from other markets.Japan's solar market has become quite promising due to its relatively higher incentives,added Solartech.
Solartech sees rising orders and full capacity in JunePhoto:Digitimes file photo
SEC:Revenues,Apr 2011-Apr 2012(NT$m)
Month
Sales
M/M
Y/Y
YTD
Y/Y
Apr-12
654
(6.3%)
(47.8%)
2,348
(62.1%)
Mar-12
698
28.9%
(58.7%)
1,694
(65.8%)
Feb-12
541
19%
(67%)
996
(69.4%)
Jan-12
455
113.4%
(71.9%)
455
(71.9%)
Dec-11
213
(48.9%)
(85%)
12,153
9.8%
Nov-11
417
(46.3%)
(68.9%)
11,940
23.9%
Oct-11
776
0.2%
(40.8%)
11,523
38.9%
Sep-11
774
(22.4%)
(40.5%)
10,748
53.8%
Aug-11
998
(6.8%)
(14.3%)
9,974
75.4%
Jul-11
1,070
9.5%
10.9%
8,976
98.5%
Jun-11
977
34.6%
39.3%
7,906
122.2%
May-11
726
(42.1%)
13.6%
6,928
142.6%
Apr-11
1,254
(25.8%)
111.5%
6,202
179.7%
Figures are not consolidatedSource:TSE,compiled by Digitimes,June 2012
SEC:Revenues,1Q11-1Q12(NT$m)
Quarter
Sales
Q/Q
Y/Y
YTD
Y/Y
1Q-12
1,694
20.5%
(65.8%)
1,694
(65.8%)
4Q-11
1,406
(50.6%)
(65.5%)
12,153
9.8%
3Q-11
2,842
(3.9%)
(17.2%)
10,748
53.8%
2Q-11
2,957
(40.3%)
53%
7,906
122.2%
1Q-11
4,949
21.4%
204.6%
4,949
204.6%
Figures are not consolidatedSource:TSE,compiled by Digitimes,June 2012
