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May 26, 2003...There's been considerable talk in recent months about the Asian buildup of blue spectrum epiwafer and LED manufacturing capability. As the Asian devices rapidly improve in quality and quantity, concerns about over-capacity and price erosion appear to grow, which is par for the course when a technology sector starts to noticeably thrive, and which is obviously happening now within the blue spectrum compound semi community. That's why we're hosting Blue 2003 in Dallas June 11-13. To celebrate that success.

Yet, there's a noticeable absence of Taiwan producers on the agenda. Why? That's twofold. One is the obvious concern over SARS, which has had a real impact on Asia-based travel. It is serious, so we don't mean to make light of the situation, but we also don't believe that it will cause any major complications. The flu takes better than 250,000 lives annually, including nearly 40,000 in the USA. SARS spread easily before people were aware of it and what to do to prevent its spread. At this point, there's excellent awareness, so common sense will rule. As any traveler knows, taking due caution and prescribed precautions is the way to deal with almost every "unusual" situation. If you would like more facts to help with your decisions, we recommend the US Center for Disease Control. There's information for travelers as well as some good basics on SARS.

We're pleased to announce that we've just heard from the co-founder of Highlink Technology, Chuong Tran, who will be at Blue 2003 (taking all due caution and precaution) to provide us with an update from his very "inside Hsinchu" perspective. Highlink is now regarded as one of the hottest blue spectrum epiwafer and device manufacturers in Asia. Chuong reports that "the core of Taiwan High Tech Hsinchu is still SARS free" and he also reports that many manufacturers are indeed keeping a relatively low international profile right now, as the marketing in Taiwan is simple: Sell product of the same quality at a lower price. Chuong will be helping Compound Semi's Alan Thompson and Bob Walker with the "Infrastructure Readiness" panel Wednesday afternoon, June 11th.

The other concern is over the threat of industry consolidation. It too is nothing to fear. In some cases, companies are actually grooming themselves for acquisition. Albeit quietly, that's often the normal course of building a business. One grooms for growth in various ways. You can become an Intel when you grow up... or you can be part of Intel when you grow up. Or... you can be a comfortably manageable independent and live happily ever after. The great thing about a successful sector such as the blue spectrum, is that companies doing especially good work can decide for themselves.

Granted, there are a few HB-LED companies that aren't fairing as well as those headlining Blue 2003. Those companies obviously doing well will be sharing their success stories with attendees to Blue 2003, and the buzz in the halls will circle the rest of the stories. The journalists and analysts in attendance will then judge for themselves who's really capable of producing what, for whom, and why that's newsworthy. What we'd like to see is everyone in the blue spectrum field at Blue 2003 to make sure you're properly counted among the contributors to the big picture.

Visibility is everything these days, no matter what your ambitions. Quiet or not-so-quiet about what your company is contributing to the field, Blue 2003 is a venue where you can let people know that... a) you're still alive, b) you have intentions of being quite big and important in this field, c) that your company may very well be "available" for acquisition or "partnering," or... d) all of the above. So pull out that handy bottle of germ-killer gel, book your flight, put on a happy face, and come have a great time sharing in the Celebration of the Blues. Really... everyone's going to be there. Shouldn't you be too?

Is Consolidation in the Future for Blue Spectrum LED Manufacturers?

Features:

Mother Nature Shakes Nitride Community

Cree's Higher Gain SiC Transistor Hits 10 Watt Class

Crystal IS Announces Single Crystal Native AlN Substrates in All Primary Low-Index Orientations

Highlink Expanding with Strong Patent Portfolio and Alliances

Enerleds To Warm Up the Flood Lamp Scene with Luxeon Warm Whites

Kopin's Devices Get Smaller as Market Gets Larger