Most FPCB orders for smartphone applications coming from short-term orders

During the current weak season in the flexible PCB (FPCB) market, orders for smartphone applications are mostly for short-term and rush orders and being placed by first-tier smartphone vendors, according to market sources.

FPCB makers indicated that order visibility only reaches through mid-February and lead times have dropped to four weeks from eight weeks due to it being the weak season in January. The sources added that FPCB makers' first quarter revenues are expected to drop sequentially largely due to weak demand, but makers are still expected to see on-year growth.

Shipments for smartphones in 2009 are expected to grow by 20-30%, and several FPCB makers such as Career Technology and Unitech Printed Circuit Board are expecting smartphone applications to drive sales in the first quarter this year, the sources noted.