Lite-on Semiconductor's subsidiary Seefull Electronics has given notice that it's going to run short on capacity for discrete component backend production. It expects this shortage in the second half of this year.

With a utilisation rate of 95 per cent, the company plans to add additional equipment to deal with the shortfall. Monthly production capacity currently runs at 1,100 million diodes and 32 million bridge rectifiers. Backend surface-mount technology (SMT) capacity is 200 million per month. With additional orders in 2008, Seefull needs the expanded production capacity for 2009 through 2010. It expects to purchase one SMT and two lines for bridge rectifier production.

This is probably a good move, as ST Microelectronics and ON Semiconductor are providing a growing demand for discrete component backend production. With a next-generation SMT development partnership, Seefull looks to stay competitive.

Lite-On Semiconductor, Seefull's parent company, is reducing production of CMOS image sensors and CCMs (compact camera modules). Its strategy is to provide more power management ICs (PWM-ICs) to the market, as it thinks that power management issues will continue to be a driving factor within the industry. Lite-On has about 30-40 engineers in its analog IC R&D team, and has developed much of its ICs in-house. The company's PWM IC solutions are capable of supporting a maximum voltage of 600W.

Lite-On expects a changing mix of revenue from its different product lines, with semiconductors making up 60 per cent of sales, with CMOS and CCMs accounting for the rest. Lite On plans to grow its semiconductor sales to 80 per cent by 2011. The company sees CMOS and CCMs as a mature and competitive market. X

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