China makers now hold a 20% share of global tablet panel production, according to market observers.
The increase comes as the makers have continued to improve their product mix, production capacity as well as development of new technologies. Despite expanded production, most makers are running at full capacity to meet demand largely from China-based tablet vendors.
In the first quarter of 2014, China makers shipped 9.16 million large-size panels, up 37.3% on year, which represented a 15.6% global share, up 3.8% on year. Within that number, tablet panel shipments were up 225.6% on year to hold a 20.1% share.
Additionally, China makers' LCD monitor panel shipments rose 23.7% on year during the first quarter to represent an 18.7% share while their LCD TV panel shipments remained steady on year to hold a 16.5% global market share. The makers' notebook panel shipments, however, declined 19.6% on year.
China-based BOE saw its profits rise 811% on year in 2013 while China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) saw its rise 646%, indicating that China makers' presence in the market is increasingly apparent, the observers said.
China-based panel makers are also developing more Ultra HD TV panels sized 49- and 55-inch in addition to 65-, 98-, 110-inch units in an attempt to dominate the segment and further compete with Taiwan makers, the observers said, adding that LTPS and OLED production will be major focuses for the companies going into 2015-2016.
