TAIWAN - Notebook makers
Quanta Computer, Compal, Wistron, Inventec and Pegatron Technology were
all affected by fewer working days in February due to the Lunar New
Year, and saw revenues in February drop 10% to 15% for the month.
Notebook makers also expect shipments in the second quarter to be
impacted by a battery plant fire in Korea’s LG Chem's facility, and
Quanta stated that Matsushita's battery plant, which also suffered
damage in a fire in September 2007, will not resume full production
until the end of June. While demand should start increasing in the next
few months, the battery shortage problem may continue for some time.
Compal also pointed out that in addition to the shortage of batteries, chassis supply is also a problem.