LED packaging house Unity Opto shipped one million LED light bulbs to Europe- and US-based distribution channels in the first quarter and has obtained orders for one million units. The firm predicts total shipments of LED light bulbs in 2013 to reach six million units.
Unity Opto used to focus on LED backlight units for TVs, but due to growing demand of LED light bulbs, the firms has shifted focus.
Unity Opto noted that shipment growth of LED light bulbs has been strong, and the firm plans to use automated production processes to lower costs and increase competitiveness. Automated equipment has already been installed. The firm plans to have three automated production lines and may expand depending on market demand.
Unity Opto's Japan-based lighting customers have been in legal disputes with Japan-based LED Nichia over patents for more than two years. Recently, the Tokyo District Court rejected Nichia's patent infringement suit. This means Unity Opto can start shipping products to Japan again in 2013.
Taiwan-based Nan Ya Photonics (NYPI), a joint venture between LED chipmaker Epistar and the Formosa Plastic Group, introduced LED light bulbs with retail prices of NT$199/unit (US$6.65/unit) at the end of 2012. According to Bor-Jen Wu, general manager of NYPI, LED prices have been falling rapidly in the recent two years, hence firms have been seeing decreasing profits. NYPI hopes to use automated production to maintain quality and efficiency. The firm has been in discussions about cooperation with various international firms, said Wu.
NYPI is currently showcasing LED light bulbs with beam angles up to 210 degrees at the 2013 Taiwan International Lighting Show. The firm stated that the product will be in volume production by the end of the second quarter.
