Forward Electronics, a Tatung Group subsidiary, is reportedly going to invest NT$42.9 million (US$1.35 million) to acquire 9 percent of Laster Tech, an LED player that focuses on the automotive market.

The deal has already been approved by the company's board of directors, the article indicated. Digitimes cited Wang Siang-Shou, Forward's spokesperson who said that company hopes to combine its packaging business with downstream LED application providers, and Laster Tech has been one of Forward's potential customers.

So far Forward's LED business department has mostly focuses on AC LED products for specialized applications in department stores. The company said that it expects its LED revenue to reach NT$80 million in the latter half of 2008.