Taiwan's Leading Machine-tool Makers See Sales Growth in May

Taipei, June 21, 2011 (CENS)--With sales hitting all-time highs in May, Taiwan's leading machine-tool manufacturers, including Tongtai Machine & Tool Co., Airtac International Holding Co. and Hiwin Technologies Corp., generally have orders to fill production lines through the end of the third quarter of this year.

To reduce operating risks, many domestic manufacturers in this line are quoting in renminbi to buyers from China, and are optimistic for this year's operations based on influx of orders.

Tongtai, focusing on production of PCB (printed circuit board) drilling machines, CNC (computerized numerically controlled) lathes and machining centers, said it recently received orders for 343 machining centers from Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. for base plates for tablet computers, with the items being shipped.

With higher production capacity for linear guideways and ball screws, Hiwin has seen substantial growth in sales over the past few months, with institutional investors believing the company's second-quarter sales to hit NT$3.5 billion, up over 20% year-on-year.

One of the world's top-three manufacturers of pneumatic tools, Airtac targets the China market that is driven by economic recovery.

Reports prepared by JP Morgan Chase show Hiwin and Airtac have seen market share expansions over the past few months, with the asset-management firm predicting continuing rising demand in China to drive both companies' substantial growth in sales this year and the next.