Both SI and brand post positive growth in monitor shipment in February by rush orders, reports WitsView

Taipei, March 25, 2009---According to WitsView’s survey, the Top 10 SIs shipped a total of 10.5 million monitors in February, up by16.2% MoM. Although February belongs to the traditional weak seasonality, a high level of business activity was seen, as downstream brand and retailers’ continued to replenish their inventory. Spurred by the persisting rush order effect, the top 10 SIs posted double-digit shipment growth. Meanwhile, it should also be noted that as the upstream component suppliers’ preparation time and panel makers’ utilization rates and delivery time can not keep up with the influx of orders, SIs will continue to experience a tight panel supply in the near term.

Worldwide top 5 LCD monitor SI shipments by unit in Jan09 (Unit: K pcs)

On the other hand, WitsView’s Feb09 Monitor brand shipment survey pointed out that the brand and downstream inventory remained at unhealthy low levels. However, due to the persisting tight panel supply, downstream vendors continued to aggressively place orders. Given the insufficient panel supply and shortage of some components, some downstream vendors experienced a delay in the monitor panel delivery time, resulting in their shipments to drop in Feb09. In general, the top 10 monitor brand vendors shipped a total of 8.99 million monitors, up by a mere 1.6% MoM. In terms of the Mar09 outlook, as the panel and set assembly delivery time return to normal continuously, coupled by the scheduled launch of new models in Apr09, the inventory replenishments by downstream vendors should continue through Apr09.

Worldwide top 5 LCD monitor brand shipments in Jan09 (Unit: K pcs)

More information on LCD monitor SI and brand shipments are available on WitsView's web site at http://www.witsview.com/MarketTrend/Default.aspx

About WitsView
Founded in the year 2004, WitsView, a subsidiary brand of DRAMeXchange, is composed of a team of TFT-LCD industry experts. The research field covers the development and market trend of upstream components, mid stream panels and downstream system integrators and retailers.

For more about WitsView, please visit www.witsview.com