(Nikkei BP Group)
(No.1 High-Tech News Site in Japanese)
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| Mustek Systems Expands into Notebook PCs, Digital Cameras
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August 17, 1998 (TAIPEI) -- Scanner manufacturer Mustek Systems Inc.
is making efforts to expand its operations into the sectors of digital
cameras and notebook computers.
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The company plans to begin mass production of DVD players and LCD projectors
in October, and it has set up an affiliate for the manufacturing of
notebook computers.
A Mustek executive said that the company spent NT$500 million (US$14
million) on the initial stage of establishing its notebook computer
unit. The affiliate will target its own brand of low-priced notebook
computers, and will later move into original equipment manufacturing
(OEM) operations.
Development of Mustek's first notebook computer is expected to be completed
in September, and the company projects production of 50,000 units in
1999. The company estimates that the output will reach 100,000 units
in 2000, when it should start turning a profit on its notebook PC operations.
The Mustek executive said that while the digital camera market has great
potential, it might take some time for the market to fully develop.
The profit margin for digital cameras now stands at about 10 percent,
far lower than the average 50 percent to 60 percent for handheld scanners
five to six years ago. However, sales of digital cameras are rising.
While global scanner sales are seen reaching 13 million units this year,
sales of digital cameras are expected to register about 10 million units.
Despite this shift in focus, Mustek remains optimistic about the future
of the scanner industry. The executive said that 20 percent of personal
computer owners in the United States now have scanners, and the figure
may climb to 50 percent in the future.
(Commercial Times, Taiwan)
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