During the economic downturn, many manufacturers are setting to reduce the output and dismiss workers at manufacturing lines. But, small and mid-size LED makers are busy running manufacturing lines.
Lumens decided to keep its manufacturing line during year-end and a new year. Even on the Christmas day, it didn’t stop the manufacturing line. To meet the order, the company decided to operate the manufacturing line even during the lunatic New Year day, a traditional holiday in Korea. As the order reduced in the fourth quarter, its output has been slightly lowered. But, as panel makers focused on the LED BLUs as new products for the next year, the order has increased in December.
Also, the order for LEDs used in keypads and camera flash of mobile phones which will be released in the first quarter of the next year. To meet the order, they have to run the manufacturing line without holidays. The order for LEDs used in signboards is also increasing.
Seoul Semiconductors run its manufacturing line on the next day of the Christmas day. The order has slightly reduced in December, compared with that of October and November. But, it still runs two shifts. Even during the holidays on New Year’s day and lunatic New Year’s day, it will run the manufacturing line.
This year, it is likely to make a 15 year high by surpassing last year’s record of KRW 250.2 billion. In the upcoming year, the LED lighting market will be open with an explosive increase of demand. Also, the LED market for notebook BLUs will show a different atmosphere. Vice President Jung Dae-young at Seoul Semiconductors noted.
Kumho Electric also has run the manufacturing line on the next day of the Christmas day and the Saturday. It only decided to take a day off. Recently, it released an LED lighting alternative to the fluorescent lamp, successfully changing its image as a traditional fluorescent maker. The company has proved that its technical competitiveness by winning the bid for the LED lighting replacement project of Migliore. According to the vice Chairman Park Myung-gu, they will invest a majority of the compensation in the LED business among KRW 100 billion compensation for the workplace in Suwon. By achieving the scale of economy, they will take a lead in the LED lighting market.
LED material makers are also busy manufacturing. Iljin Display, a sapphire wafer maker, is also running its manufacturing line as the demand for 4 inch products is increasing. It will take days off for New Year’s day only and maintain the operation. Crystal-On is running the manufacturing line to meet the order for 2 inch products although the overall volume has slightly reduced by 20%.
