News Release

Widespread recognition for top-notch business operations earned for Altek the number 3 spot on Business Next magazine’s 2006 list of top 100 technology companies in Taiwan. The honor was the second time Altek placed on this widely followed list. Years of investment and effort in the digital camera sector have struck roots that are both deep and solid.

Info Tech’s coverage of Altek noted that the company, founded just recently (1996), captured the top three spot due to strong gains in revenue realized during the previous five years. Revenue over the period shot up from NT$3.8 billion to NT$17.2 billion – an increase of 4~5 fold.

During this critical half decade of growth, Altek literally staked everything on success. Altek President Alex Hsia recognized it a zero sum game, in which success would set the foundations for long run growth and strength and failure could very well lead to the collapse of everything achieved over the previous decade. Altek’s business model is simple, with straightforward customer channels and products. In 2008, large volume purchasing power and rigorous control of costs helped win for shareholders an all time high earnings per share (EPS) of NT$7.48.

Altek sales are currently concentrated in North America and Japan, where Kodak and Sanyo are among key accounts. The corporation has also joined with Kinko Optical to launch Jinjing Opti-Tech in Suzhou, China, which will manufacture camera lenses and, later on, optical pieces of glass and plastic. Jinjing’s annual capacity of 3~5 million units will sharpen the competitive edge of both Altek and Kinko in terms of lenses for cameras and mobile phones. Altek also enjoys distinct competitive advantages over competitors in terms of upstream supplier integration and in the area of in-house ASIC R&D.

Info Tech’s strong ranking for Altek highlights that the company has solidified its core competencies and is now a rising star in the optics sector.