E Ink's Subsidiary Hydis Wins Big Order from International Customer

Taipei, Aug. 16, 2010 (CENS)--E Ink Holdings Inc. (formerly Prime View International Co., Ltd., or PVI), a major thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panel and e-paper maker, recently said that its Korean subsidiary Hydis Technology Co., Ltd. has won big-ticket orders from an international brand for large- and medium-sized panels for cellphone and slate-PC applications.

Scott Liu, E Ink's chairman, pointed out at his company's recent investor meeting that E Ink has been adjusting its product mix, especially panels incorporating Hydis' patented FFS (fringe field switching) technology for high-end mobile devices. From the second quarter, the chairman added, E Ink has been decreasing production of low-margin traditional handset panels and turning to high-end displays and e-paper products.

E Ink's FFS-technology panel products are expected to account for 30% of the company's revenue in the second half, compared to about 15% in 2009.

In order to meet strong demand, Liu said, Hydis has ramped up production of FFS products to 75% and lowered that of e-paper products to 25%, compared to 50:50 before. The company also contracts Chimei Innolux Corp., the largest TFT-LCD panel maker, to supply some e-papers.

According to Liu, E Ink's FFS panel products will be produced in-house and via outsourcing. The chairman explained that the TFT-LCD market is very big, so E Ink also plans to authorize other makers with interest in FFS technology to earn royalty fees.