Global Lighting Technologies (GLT) is developing light guide plates for miniLED backlighting with such products being certified and to come into production in 2022, according to company chairman Lee Mang-shiang.

Due to shortages of components and materials, clients have deferred taking deliveries of shipments, company president Johnny Tsai said at a December 6 investors conference.

GLT keeps automating production lines at its two factories in Taiwan with a capex budget of NT$250 million (US$9.0 million) for 2021 and about NT$300 million for 2022, Tsai noted. GLT's two factories in China focus on assembly processes and need less automation. However, monthly wages in eastern China have risen from CNY6,000 (US$938) to CNY10,000, Tsai indicated.

GLT posted consolidated revenues of NT$2.790 billion, gross margin of 21.30%, operating profit of NT$380.6 million and net profit of NT$376.4 million for third-quarter 2021, leading to consolidated revenues of NT$8.190 billion, gross margin of 19.72%, operating profit of NT$979.8 million and net profit of NT$972.1 million for January-September.

In terms of applications of light guide plates, IT panels account for 77% of consolidated revenues currently, panels used in wearable devices for 10%, panels used in consumer electronics for 9%, and panels used in displays for 4%.

By DIGITIMES