Dec 06, 2012
Apple is expected to purchase at least US$5 billion worth of flexible PCBs in 2013 with Taiwan-based FPCB makers contributing 30% of total supplies, according to industry sources. Apple's total FPCB purchases in 2012 will be close to US$4 billion, of which Taiwan suppliers will account for 20-25%.
The rollout of iPods, iPads, iPhones, MacBook notebooks and iMac desktops has made Apple the largest buyer of FPCBs globally and also a driving force pushing forward the development of the FPCB industry, the sources noted.
Apple's demand for FPCBs is set to continue expanding in 2013, given Apple's smartphone shipments are estimated to top 160-180 million units in the coming year compared to 97 million shipped in 2012, while its tablet shipments are likely to increase to 75-80 million units from 40 million units during the same period, said the sources.
Taiwan-based FPCB suppliers, including Zhen Ding Technology Holding, Career Technology and Flexium Interconnect, are ramping up their backend assembly capacities in order to meet anticipated demand from Apple, the source noted.
Apple is currently sourcing FPCBs from eight suppliers, including Japan-based NOK, Sumitomo and Fujikura, revealed the sources.
Source：digitimes.com