In brief: Arima, Kamelian and Honeywell
Arima Optoelectronics, the Taiwanese LED manufacturer, is predicting an increase in production this year, according to the Asian website Digitimes.com.
Arima has expanded capacity at its Hsinchu plant, acquired in the merger with Kingmax Optoelectronics, with AlGaInP-based LEDs dominating production. Volumes are predicted to rise from the current quarterly level of 10-15 million units, to 25 million and then 35-40 million in successive quarters.
In addition, the company aims to ship high-luminance blue LEDs in the third quarter. It plans to install extra MOCVD capacity between August and October, leading to a monthly production of 100 million units by year-end.
Arima also hopes to up its laser diode production from current levels of 4-4.5 million to six million and seven million in consecutive quarters. It also plans to introduce new technology, such as flip-chip-packaged LEDs, and automatic optical output power control for laser diodes.
Kamelian looks for a buyerKamelian, based in Oxford, UK, and a supplier of low cost amplification products for optical systems, appointed administrative receivers on 17 June 2004.
The company is continuing to trade until it finds a purchaser, according to Graham Bushby of Baker Tilley, one of the appointed receivers.
Kamelian received $6.7 million in second round funding in April 2003 which it believed would enable it to break even by 2005.
Honeywell raises sapphire wafer priceHoneywell, based in Sunnyvale California, has announced a price increase on 2-inch sapphire wafers, effective from 1 July. The price increase will be based on various factors such as product and package type, distribution and additional services provided, but will be in the range of 15%.
