Japanese Circuit Board Makers Lifting Capacity on High Performance Items – Prices coming down?

Japan's leading printed circuit board makers are increasing their capacity to manufacture advanced products employing finer wiring patterns.

With prices of copper and synthetic resin on the rise, Japan will fabricate boards with wiring less than half the normal width (around 40 microns).

Meiko Electronics Co. will spend 12 billion ($100 million) in China to build a 2nd factory.  Printed circuit boards are made for mobile phones there.

CMK Corp. will fire up a new factory in Thailand this summer but will also add

another 7.5 billion ($60 million) investment. Capacity will be 3x by 2010.

Ibiden Co., the world's largest maker of printed circuit boards, will pour 19 billon ($160 million) this year into increased production for advanced boards at its two factories in Gifu.

Japan hopes to fend off South Korea and Taiwan with these investments.

The winner – the consumers….that's us.

Source. Nikkei.