Taiwan-based LED packaging company Ledtech Electronics received an order for commercial-use LED light bars from Japan, with shipments to begin in September, according to market sources. The order was for NT$12 million and was for a commercial use applications. Yu-yuan Hou (transliterated from Chinese), spokesperson of Ledtech indicated that orders for LED light bars used in refrigerator, commercial and general lighting are increasing. Although the order value in the first half of this year was only about NT$5-6 million, this one order from Japan has helped the company already double its related sales in the second half of this year. Ledtech also indicated the company's September total order value has already reached NT$136 million. Ledtech noted that Japan is very active in applying LED lighting products and the market is more accepting to higher priced products.

Taiwan-based LED packaging company Harvatek estimates its August revenue total will fall a little short of its total in July, but revenues in the third quarter will be better than that it saw in the second quarter, according to market sources. Harvatek's July revenues totaled NT$263.7 million, up 121% from NT$119 million in June, but down 13.64% on year, and its accumulated revenues from January to July were NT$1.7 billion, up 2.98% on year, according to data from the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE). The company suffered from plunging LED product ASPs in the first half of the year, with ASPs declining 30-40% compare to the same period in 2007 due to an industry downturn and a crackdown on China's white-box handset market. Orders from the the white box handset segment rebounded strongly in July, but has resulted in some inventory that still needs to be digested. Harvatek's August revenues will not reach the level reached in July and should be in the NT$250 million (US$7.9 million) range, the market sources noted. As the long holiday around China's October 1 National Day is coming up, Harvatek estimates orders will begin picking up again in September.

While LED players' revenues in July rebounded sequerntially, they were still far from the peak levels seen early this year and the end of last year, though Taiwan LED packaging companies such as Bright LED and Everlight Electronics are also seeing improvement in thier August orders as well. LED packaging company Bright LED is benefitting from recovering demand for sideview LEDs and its current orders have reached NT$350 million (US$11 million), topping its overall sales from one month ago by 6% already. Everlight has benefited from the growth of surface mounted device (SMD) LED orders and sources estimate its August orders have reached NT$950 million and the company's August revenues should exceed its July revenues of NT$926 million. In the first half of the year, average selling prices (ASP) for sideview LED applications dropped 25% while AlGaInP LED ASPs fell 10%. Still, Bright LED posted second quarter revenues of NT$979 million, up 18.1% on year. With the recent depreciation of the NT dollar, revenues for traditional industries in the peak season are expected to increase and the market forecast is for Bright LED's sales to increase in the third quarter. Everlight indicated that its SMD LED orders are growing and its third quarter revenues should increase sequentially as well, despite infrafrared LED demand remaining weak. Investors estimates that Everlight's revenues in the third quarter may increase by 6%, reaching NT$3 billion and its gross margins may reach 29%.

Despite the downturn in global consuming market, Taiwan LED packaging company Ledtech Electronics continues to explore markets for new products. The company is planning to work with other international players to develop low-cost LED lamps and reading lights for underdeveloped countries, according to market sources. The company estimates it will begin receiving orders by the end of this year, the sources noted, while adding that that Ledtech is also looking to combine solar power technology to the lighting applications and that governmental funding may be possible. Ledtech continues to benefit from the low temperature LED lighting market and posted July consolidated revenues of NT$118 million (US$3.8 million), up 5.46% on year but down 4% sequentially, according to data from the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE).

Taiwan LED packaging company Unity Opto's July revenues were NT$236 million (US$7.7 million), up 23.7% from NT$191 million in June. Meanwhile, Bright LED has posted July revenues of NT$329.8 million, a 2.3% growth sequentially and 2.5% growth on year, according to data available from the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE). Influenced by fast dropping panel prices and low white-box handset demand in the first half of this year, LED packaging companies' revenues in the second quarter were less than satisfying, according to market sources. Both Unity Opto and Bright LED indicated that as inventory levels appear to be returning to normal in August, orders are expected to return and help clear up order visibility. Utilization rate may grow 40% compared to the second quarter. Unity Opto added that orders for handsets and LEDs used in backlight units (BLUs) for small-size panels have also increased compared to the second quarter, and indicated more orders may come around the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.