Taiwan Today
Date: December 10, 2015
A record NT$5.8 billion (US$176.6 million) fine was imposed Dec. 9 on 10
FTC Vice Chairman Chiu Yung-ho demonstrates the range of electrolytic capacitors involved in a case of international pricing collusion Dec. 9 in Taipei City. (CNA)
international capacitor suppliers for price collusion and joint monopolization by the ROC’s Fair Trade Commission.
Seven aluminum electrolytic capacitor firms—ELNA Co., Hong Kong Chemi-Con Ltd., Nichicon Co., Nippon Chemi-Con Corp., Rubycon Corp., Sanyo Electric Co. and Taiwan Chemi-Con Corp.,—along with three tantalum capacitor makers—Matsuo Electric Co., NEC Tokin Corp. and Vishay Polytech Co.—were found to have violated the nation’s Fair Trade Act.
FTC Vice Chairman Chiu Yung-ho said the firms were involved in exchanging sensitive information pertaining to clients, pricing, and production capacity and volume through meetings or bilateral communications starting in 2005.
“The ruling was reached following a joint investigation launched last year with the EU, Singapore and the U.S. into international cartels seeking to gain industry monopoly,” he said. “The anti-competitive behavior of the firms involved in this case has substantively affected the local capacitor market.” [FULL STORY]
