Apacer Technology expects to see more growth from what the company calls the "value-added" business in 2011. Its standard memory module business, which consists of DRAM modules and flash memory cards, will contribute less than 60% of its total revenues, down from 70% at present.
In recent years, Apacer has actively diversified into the markets for solid state drives (SSD), industrial-use memory modules and digital home products. The non-standard memory product line, which yields higher gross margins, accounted for 30% of the company's total revenues in the first three quarters of 2010 compared to 23% for the whole of 2009 and only 19% for 2008.
Speaking at a December 27 press conference, Apacer president I-shih Chen said he expects low DRAM prices to boost memory content per box in PCs. Quotes for 2GB DDR3 modules have slid to as low as US$18, Chen added.
Chen also commented that supply of 1-bit-per-cell SLC and 2-bit-per-cell MLC NAND flash chips will become tight in 2011 driven by rising demand for smartphones and tablet PCs. However, the market is likely to be flooded with 3-bit-per-cell TLC parts casing prices for the memory to fall, Chen indicated.
Apacer is scheduled to be listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) on December 29 at NT$21 (US$0.70) per share.