Susie Pan, Taipei; Emily Chuang, DIGITIMES [Friday 9 November 2007]
To avoid LCD panel shortages and to meet strong demand for the year-end holidays, Amtran Technology recently increased its flat panel TV inventory level to six weeks in the US market, compared to three weeks earlier, according to Frank Wu, executive vice president and brand business president of Amtran.
Wu stated that Amtran had learned a lesson from last year as the company did not prepare enough flat panel TV shipments for the holiday demand in 2006. In consequence, the company has revised its inventory days to avoid any shortages, he added.
Amtran is manufacturing flat panel TVs for Vizio. Wu said Vizio is now the best seller in terms of TV brands at Wal-Mart. However, he noted that as first-tier brands such as Sony and Sharp are pushing their products by offering cut prices, Vizio may see its market share drop slightly in the fourth quarter.
Customers in the US have less brand preference which may help second-tier players gain market share, Wu commented, adding that the sub-prime market will not affect Vizio's sales in the second half of 2007.
Apart from Amtran and Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), Vizio is in talks with other OEM/ODM makers for orders, according to sources.
Amtran posted monthly sales of NT$6.25 billion (US$193.39 million) in October, up 0.32% on month and 142% on year, according to the company.
Frank Wu, executive vice president and brand business president of Amtran Technology
Photo: Susie Pan, Digitimes
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