TAIPEI, Taiwan - Mass production of the Apple Watch will begin in the first quarter of next year. Furthermore, a key component, the Flexible Print Circuit Board (FPCB), will be entirely supplied by the following three Taiwanese companies: Career, Zhen Ding Technology, and Flexium Interconnect Inc.
Because the Apple Watch product design is extremely complex and includes using 3D stack design, being waterproof, and having ultralow power consumption, each Apple watch will use one or two more FPCB than other regular wearable devices. On average, an Apple Watch will use six to seven FPCB.
Considering the high-yield rate in the manufacturing process and capacity factors, Apple has already excluded Japanese and Korean companies, and is instead relying entirely on Taiwanese companies as suppliers, including Career, Zhen Ding Technology Holding Ltd., and Flexium Interconnect Inc.
Although Taiwanese FPCB manufacturers already have a competitive edge over Japanese and Korean companies, due to the rapid growth of FPCB technology in China, Chinese companies may pose a threat to Taiwanese companies in 2015.
Analysts have pointed out that during the past few years the rapid growth of smartphones in China has also brought about greater capacities amongst Chinese FPCB manufacturers. Numerous Chinese FPCB companies are expected to carry out expansions in 2015.
