Innovations Such as Inert Gas Reduction Technologies Win High Recognition

Business Wire
Date: February 17, 2016

OYAMA, Japan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Gigaphoton Inc. (Head Office: Oyama, Tochigi; President & CEO: Hitoshi Tomaru), a leading manufacturer of light sources used in lithography, has announced that two major foundries in Taiwan – United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) have recognized Gigaphoton with supplier awards.

In recognition of its contribution to proactive efforts in reducing the consumption of inert gas, on November 10, 2015 Gigaphoton was recognized with a “Creative Award” by UMC, which is one of the world’s prominent foundries. Shortly after, on December 23, 2015 Fab 12B, one of the manufacturing sites of TSMC, the world’s largest foundry, praised Gigaphoton Taiwan (Gigaphoton’s local subsidiary in Hsinchu City) for its consistently excellent support services with a “Best Service Support” award.

These awards attest to Gigaphoton’s excellence in contributing to the reduction of environmental costs as well as providing ongoing support. Specifically, Gigaphoton was recognized for reducing environmental costs for users by proactively supplying eTGM technology, which enables customers to significantly reduce the consumption of neon and other inert gases used as laser light sources. Simultaneously, the company is also recognized for supplying outstanding ongoing support to ensure stable operation of the company’s laser equipment.

Hitoshi Tomaru, President and CEO of Gigaphoton says, “We are extremely honored and thankful to receive these awards from two of Taiwan’s world-leading foundries in 2015, which also happens to coincide with Gigaphoton’s 15th anniversary. As a result of the support of such companies, we forecast that Gigaphoton will capture over 50% share of the market in FY 2015, a continuance from FY 2014 results. Not only are we filled with a sense of gratitude, but also feel greater responsibility to making a global contribution. We intend to work vigorously towards providing technologies and products that are useful to customers in FY 2016 as well.”     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-02-17
By: Sophia Yang, Taiwan News, Staff Reporter

In the midst of the worst global market sell-off since the financial crisis of 2008, some Taiwanese investors are seeking refuge in futures to offset the risk of adverse price movement. A Financial Times story recently identified 12 black swans that are awaiting to disturb global equity markets throughout 2016, including the oil price slump, shares sell-off by Middle East sovereign wealthfunds for cash, Chinese yuan devaluation, political uncertainty before U.S. presidential election, and so forth, sparking anxiety among global capital markets.

Turbulence over the past year sent investors seeking a hedge or a safe haven of the future for their investment portfolios. Accordingly, Taiwan Futures Exchange saw an average daily trade volume exceeding the 1 million contracts benchmark in 2015, with an increase of nearly 44 percent on a yearly basis. The launch of four new products—TOPIX index futures, RMB futures, ETF futures and options—also contributed to the sharp increase in volumes.     [FULL  STORY]

BACK IN THE USA:The nation’s leading hotelier and Cottonwood Management are to develop integrated residential-commercial complexes in Boston and New York

Taipei Times
Date: Feb 18, 2016
By: Crystal Hsu / Staff reporter

Formosa International Hotels Corp (FIHC, 晶華國際酒店集團), the nation’s largest listed hotel operator, yesterday entered into a partnership with a US real-estate developer to launch two mixed-use property projects, allowing it to return to the US market after an absence of more than 10 years.

The Taipei-based hotelier inked an agreement with Cottonwood Management to develop integrated complexes in Boston’s booming Seaport District and on New York City’s Fifth Avenue, FIHC chairman Steven Pan (潘思亮) said.

“We have intended to rejoin the US market and are happy to find the right partner in Cottonwood Management,” Pan told a news conference in Taipei.     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-02-16
By: Central News Agency

V Air, a low-cost carrier owned by Taiwan’s TransAsia Airways, announced Tuesday that it will begin offering flights to the Philippine capital of Manila on March 27.

The budget carrier said it will operate four flights a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, between Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Ticket sales for the Taipei-Manila flights will begin at 9 a.m. on Feb. 17 on its website, V Air said.

To promote the new route, the airline will offer special fares starting as low as NT$520 for a one-way ticket until 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 19. The tickets will be good for travel between March 27 and May 31.     [FULL  STORY]

PESSIMISTIC OUTLOOK:A Ministry of Finance official said buyers worried about the global slowdown and dropping oil prices are not interested in building up inventories

Taipei Times
Date: Feb 17, 2016
By: Crystal Hsu / Staff reporter

Exports contracted 13 percent year-on-year to US$22.2 billion last month, as clients from across the world remained conservative about building inventory amid global economic uncertainty, the Ministry of Finance said yesterday.

Outbound shipments declined for the 12th consecutive month and would stay in negative territory until knockout technological innovations appear on the horizon to boost manufacturers, officials said.

“Trading partners worldwide are shying away from active inventory-building on lingering concerns over the global slowdown and the oil price rout,” Department of Statistics Director-General Yeh Maan-tzwu (葉滿足) told reporters.     [FULL  STORY]

CLOUDY OUTLOOK:Asustek also reported flattish January revenues, while four PC contract makers posted double-digit percentage drops due to a seasonal slowdown

Taipei Times
Date: Feb 16, 2016
By: Lauly Li / Staff reporter
Asustek Computer Inc (華碩) yesterday reported slight annual growth in net income for last quarter, supported primarily by better-than-expected notebook shipments during the electronics industry’s peak season.

Net profit inched up 0.88 percent to NT$4.54 billion (US$135.84 million) last quarter, the company said. That represented a quarterly growth of 7.83 percent.

“Last quarter’s net income growth was mainly because of the better-than-expected notebook PC shipments,” chief financial officer Nick Wu (吳長榮) told the Taipei Times.     [FULL  STORY]