IMI building new power module facility

MANILA, Philippines - Ayala-led Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. has  built a new power module facility, allowing it to grab a significant chunk of the power module market.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, IMI said that it has inaugurated its so-called Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) power modules which can be used as electronic switches that combine high efficiency and fast switching. The modules also provide the ability to switch to electric power often used on trains, refrigerators, solar applications, lamps, etc.

IMI president and CEO Arthur Tan said the new facility is capable of production and process development of power modules that involve highly flexible machines that can accommodate different application requirements of customers.

“IMI is one of the few companies in the world capable of handling not only the electronics manufacturing side of the power modules but also the power semiconductor side of it. IMI has the capability to scale and produce within a wide breadth of module specifications,” Tan said.

According to IHS Inc., a leading provider of diverse global market and economic information, power modules have a significant future for the electronics world and would account for 30 percent of the total power of the semiconductor market by 2019.

“The new power module business is very much aligned with IMI’s strategy of offering innovative solutions which will impact our top and bottom lines. Further, it is in line with the expanding business in our target markets of automotive and industrial segments,” Tan said.

A subsidiary of conglomerate Ayala Corp., IMI has manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe and North America. It serves various markets such as electronics, automotive, industrial, medical, telecommunications, infrastructure, storage device and consumer electronics industries.

In the nine months to September, IMI reported a net income of $22 million, five percent higher than the $21 million booked in the same period last year given improved operational efficiencies.

In the third quarter alone, however, net income declined to $6.82 million from $9.78 million a year ago as revenues slid to $205 million from $219 million.  The decline was  partly due to weaker operations in China.