HannStar to allocate half of its capacity to small- to medium-size panels

HannStar Display is moving to allocate half of its overall capacity to small- to medium-size LCD panel output by the end of the second quarter, according to company president David Joe. By year-end 2009, the company estimates its monthly small- to medium-size panel production will reach 90,000 glass substrates, Joe said.

The capacity of HannStar's 5.3G plant is 140,000 glass substrates, Joe said, noting that the production in March reached 60,000 substrates with panel sizes concentrated on 7- to 11-inch panels. For small-size panel production, he said that the company will start mass production for 4.3- and 5-inch panels in April.

Joe indicated that HannStar Display estimates its utilization rate at its 5.3G plant to be fully-loaded in April, and the company will end its unpaid leave policy in April. HannStar estimates sequential shipment growth for March at 60-70% mainly due to increasing rush orders, he said.

HannStar aims to ship four million own-brand LCD monitors and 700,000 LCD TVs in 2009, Joe added.