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AUSTIN – Large-area (10" and larger) TFT LCD shipments reached 130 million units in the second quarter, up 10% year-over-year and 42% sequentially, says DisplaySearch.

Because of the increase in prices, large-area TFT LCD revenues of $15 billion grew 51% sequentially, but were still down 29% compared to the second quarter last year.

Strong market demand in the quarter led to a recovery in capacity utilization across all applications, says the research firm.

Also, panel makers are increasing capacity utilization to respond to growing demand and targeting third-quarter shipments of large-area TFT LCD panels of 152.8 million, up 18% compared to the second quarter. If panel makers reach their unit shipment targets, revenue growth is expected to be 32%, says DisplaySearch.

In the second quarter, Samsung Electronics led in large-area TFT LCD panel revenues, with sales of $4.2 billion, a 27.8% revenue share. LG Display was second, with $3.7 billion in revenues and a 25% sales share. AUO was third at $2.3 billion, with a 15.7% share, with CMO closely behind at 15.3% share.

LG Display took first place in unit shipments, but Samsung shipped the most by area, says DisplaySearch.

On a unit basis, Korea was the largest supplier of large-area TFT LCD panels with a 49.8% share, but was down from 52.2% in the first quarter because of strong shipment growth of Taiwanese panel suppliers. Taiwan's share increased from 38.4% in the previous period to 41.2% in this quarter.

"We are forecasting that industry utilization will be 87% in the third quarter, due to growing orders. In the second quarter, the industry experienced a strong recovery, and shipments reached record highs. We expect that strong demand will push panel shipments to another record high in the third quarter. However, strong panel shipments in some cases are due to downstream players piling up inventory, so we believe it will be necessary to watch the supply chain inventory situation closely at the end of the third quarter," said David Hsieh, vice president of DisplaySearch.

TORONTO – EMS provider SMTC Corp. today reported second-quarter revenue was $39.1 million, down nearly 28% year-over-year, and down 12.9% sequentially.

PALO ALTO, CA -- Hewlett-Packard denied reports it would partner with Foxconn (Hon Hai) to develop a laptop PC manufacturing hub in Chongqing, China.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – China's IC market is expected to reach $100.1 billion in 2013 and represent 35% of the worldwide IC market, up from 14% in 2003, according to IC Insights.

In 2001, the Asia-Pacific IC market (including China, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, etc.) first surpassed the Americas to become the leading IC-consuming market.

In 2008, the Asia-Pacific IC market was $111.2 billion, and, for the first time, was larger than the Americas, European, and Japanese IC markets combined, says the research firm.

With more of the world's electronics systems forecast to be produced in Asia-Pacific (non-Japan), and China in particular, IC Insights believes Asia-Pacific IC market growth will continue to significantly outpace total IC market growth for at least the next five years.

In 2009, China and Taiwan together are expected to represent about 75% of the IC market in the Asia-Pacific region.

In 2013, IC Insights forecasts the China and Taiwan IC market together will reach about $139 billion and represent almost 80% of the total Asia-Pacific IC market and almost half (48%) of the worldwide IC market.

In 2008, China's IC market increased 5% to $56.2 billion, compared to a 6% decline for the total worldwide IC market. Although China's IC market is forecast to decline 8% in 2009, this performance would still be much better than the 17% drop expected for the total IC market. Moreover, the Chinese IC market is forecast to have a 2008-2013 CAGR of 12%, double the 6% forecast for the worldwide IC market during this same time period.

MANASSAS, VA – Zestron is building a technical center in Kulim High Tech Park, Malaysia. The center will officially open by the end of August.

This is the firm’s fourth technical center globally. It has more than 5,000 ft² of floor space and will be equipped with spray-in-air and ultrasonic cleaning equipment.

EL SEGUNDO, CA -- Average global pricing for commodity electronics components is expected to rise by 2.3% in the third quarter sequentially, due to shortages and resulting price hikes for memory chips, according to iSuppli.

JASPER, IN -- Kimball International reported net sales of $271.5 million and income from continuing operations of $2.8 million for its fiscal fourth quarter which ended June 30.

AUSTIN, TX -- Mobile phone display shipments are expected to improve through 2009 due to relatively strong demand for smartphones, video capabilities and the growing China market.

SAN JOSE -- A turnaround in chip sales has begun and will likely continue this year and next, boosting demand for new semiconductor equipment as well.

HERNDON, VA – The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative announced some 22 member companies -- the most ever for a new program -- have signed on for the official launch of its HFR-Free Leadership Program.

SINGAPORE -- Singapore's electronics and overall economy roared back in July, according to its latest purchasing managers' index.

TEMPE, AZ – New orders for manufactured products jumped in July, carrying production along for the ride, according to the latest data from the Institute for Supply Management.

The PMI index in July rose 1.1 points to 48.9%, ISM reported today. New Orders were up 6.1 points to 55.3%. Production reached 57.9%, up 5.4 points. The trends suggest the full recovery will be complete by the third quarter, an ISM spokesman said.

During the month, inventories rose 2.7 points to 33.5%, as manufacturers began to backfill depleted stocks. Customer Inventories dipped 1 point to 42.5%, and Order Backlogs increased 2.5 points to 50%.

A reading above 50% indicates the manufacturing economy is generally expanding.

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector failed to grow in July for the 18th consecutive month, while the overall economy grew for the third consecutive month, according to ISM.

"The decline in manufacturing was slower in July when compared to June, as the more leading components of the PMI – the New Orders and Production Indexes – rose significantly above 50%, thus setting an expectation for future growth in the sector,” said ISM spokesperson Norbert J. Ore. The Employment and Inventories indexes are still contracting, but the rate is slowing and they are moving in the right direction. It is also worth noting that the New Export Orders index shows growth following nine consecutive months of decline, suggesting that the global economy is recovering. Overall, it would be difficult to convince many manufacturers that we are on the brink of recovery, but the data suggest that we will see growth in the third quarter if the trends continue.”