Genesis Photonics is currently showcasing its new Match LED at Lighting Japan 2013. According to the firm, the price and gross margin of Match LEDs are more competitive than mainstream LED light bulbs and the firm recently received orders equivalent to a total of 100,000 units from Europe- and US-based distributors.
This is the fifth consecutive year Genesis Photonics has participated at Lighting Japan. In the previous four years, the firm's subsidiary in Japan was responsible for showcasing LED chips. In 2013, the firm decided to integrate resources from the parent company and showcase the new Match LED products, including patio lights, light bulbs, and candlelight-shaped lighting.
According to Mark Chen, general manager of Genesis Photonics, Japan is a very important market and the firm has been developing the market for 7-8 years. Currently, said Chen, revenues from its Japan subsidiary account for 30-40% of total corporate revenues, hence it is important for the firm to participate at Lighting Japan.
David Chung, chairman of Genesis Photonics, noted that the firm plans to introduce a new product every six months in the future and expects sales from lighting to grow steadily in 2013. Chung estimated that sales from the vertically integrated Match LED solution will account for 10-15% of total second-half 2013 revenues.
Market observers stated that Genesis is a direct-lit LED backlight supplier for Japan- and China-based TV brands. Market observers added that the firm recently became a backlight supplier for Foxconn Electronics' (Hon Hai Precision Industry) large-size TV. However, Chung stated that the first quarter is a traditional low season therefore he expects revenues to be flat.
Meanwhile, Taiwan-based Opto Tech has focused on showcasing LED system products such as LED products and billboards at Lighting Japan 2013. According to HT Wang, general manager of Opto Tech, orders for building lighting and billboards appear relatively healthy for 2013, and are current clear for two months. The firm has been in discussions with customers and expects to obtain billboard supply orders in February, said Wang. Also its LED chip and silicon-based material business units currently have one month of order visibility, added Wang.
Wang noted that Japan is a very important market for Opto Tech and the firm has been working closely with Japan-based Nichia. In 2012, the firm extended business into downstream LED tubes and spot lights, and these products have been shipped to Japan-based customers, according to Wang.
