Silicon wafer company GlobalWafers continues to see its 8- and 12-inch wafer manufacturing lines run at full capacity utilization, as the majority of orders is based on long-term contract agreements (LTA), according to company chairperson Doris Hsu.

GlobalWafers remains optimistic about its performance this year, despite near-term headwinds facing the semiconductor market, Hsu indicated. End-market demand is expected to pick up gradually in the second half of 2019, when a diverse range of applications for 5G will emerge, Hsu said.

In addition, GlobalWafers expects its new plant in South Korea to come online in the first half of 2020. The new facility will be fulfilling supply contracts of five years and more, Hsu said.

GlobalWafers reported consolidated revenues increased 27.8% to NT$59.06 billion (US$1.91 billion) in 2018, when net profits surged 158.4% on year to NT$13.63 billion. EPS for the year came to NT$31.18 compared with NT$12.68 in 2017. The results all hit record-high levels.

GlobalWafers disclosed its cumulative 2019 revenues through February grew 9.9% from a year earlier to NT$9.93 billion.