Chip packager Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) saw its January sales decrease 13% on month, while fellow firm Siliconware Precision Industries (SPIL) reported flat sequential growth.

　　Consolidated revenues at ASE, which include sales generated from its EMS business, slipped 13.2% sequentially to NT$18.59 billion (US$612.9 million) in January 2014. A partial closure of the company's K7 plant due to water pollution and inventory adjustment at the customers of its EMS business led to the lower sales during the month.

　　ASE has guided its core IC ATM (assembly test and material) business would post a 12-15% sequential decline in shipments for the first quarter of 2014. As for its EMS division, revenues would drop 30% on quarter due to seasonal factors, according to the company.

　　SPIL's consolidated sales for January 2014 came to NT$6.02 billion, down only 1.1% on month. The firm has reportedly benefited from effects of transferred orders after the shutdown of part of ASE's A7 factory.

　　SPIL expects its first-quarter revenues to decrease 4-8% sequentially. Brisk demand coming from the communications sector may allow it to enjoy a particularly strong first quarter, the company noted previously.