GLT Has Reported July Revenues of Nt$364 Million

Light guide plate maker Global Lighting Technologies (GLT) has reported July revenues of NT$364 million (US$13 million), representing a 46.89% on-month growth and 9.47% on-year growth. According to GLT, the large growth of July revenues was due to increased shipments of large-size TV light guide plates and lighting products. In addition, GLT finished the construction and pilot run of three assembly lines allocated for large-size light guide plate in second-quarter 2011. GLT will gradually replace the conventional printing process with micro structure technology in making light guide plates. Large-size light guide plates developed in the first half of 2011 will start shipping in third-quarter 2011, said GLT, adding that the current sizes range from 32- to 46-inch. The number of LEDs required in backlight units (BLUs) has been greatly reduced due to the chips' much better luminous efficicacy. Previous BLUs had LEDs mounted on both the top and bottom sides of the units, but the latest development has seen BLUs with LEDs only on either the left or right edge of the BLUs, a design which is difficult to achieve for light guide plates built on the conventional printing process. GLT said it has made technological breakthroughs, and has entered mass production of large-size plates of 55-inch and above since July 2011. Japan's power shortage in the wake of the March 11 earthquake has prompted the local people to try to save more power, thus increasing the demand for LED products, according to GLT. This has resulted in more orders from Japanese clients. GLT's Suzhou factory in China has ramped up production since July to meet increasing demand. GLT entered light guide plate production for LED lighting in the second half 2010 and received orders shortly after. Mass production began in first quarter 2011. Shipments were slightly affected in the second quarter by the Japan disasters. However, lowered unit price of LEDs has made their products more acceptable to consumers. The third quarter is seeing a comeback in orders, with demand even stronger than the pre-earthquake period. GLT said its lighting segment chiefly caters to household needs currently, but it willl also ship solutions for commercial and desktop applications soon. Source: www. digitimes. com