Quanta is World`s largest notebook producer, according to IDC

In the heavily outsourced notebook computer industry, Quanta Computer assembled almost 22% of all notebooks sold in the second half of 2002, according to a new report issued by IDC. This puts Quanta in the lead for notebook production among contract manufacturers. Quanta’s customer list includes most of the leading branded notebook vendors, such as HP, Dell, and IBM.Almost three-quarters of all notebooks produced in the second half of 2002 were produced by contract manufacturers. Along with Quanta, the top 5 contract manufacturers are Compal, Wistron, Arima, and Inventec. Over the next several years, the growth of notebook shipments is expected to outpace the growth of desktop shipments. Even though the market is heavily outsourced, IDC believes that there is additional opportunity for contract manufacturers in this space."While the notebook marketplace is significantly outsourced, the strategies of the leading branded vendors does vary significantly," said Kevin Kane, program manager of IDC’s Contract Manufacturing Services research program. "For example, Toshiba led the market in unit shipments during the period, yet the vendor outsourced just 20% of its production. Conversely, HP outsourced 100% of its notebook production during the period. The low incidence of outsourcing from the Japanese vendors is a trend we have seen throughout all product categories."The IDC study, Worldwide Contract Manufacturing Services 4Q02 Forecast and Analysis, 2003-2007: Disconnecting the Links of the Production Supply Chain (IDC #29275), provides insight into the production landscape of the notebook, entry-server, handset and PDA marketplaces. Information for each product segment includes an analysis of the outsourcing strategies of the leading branded vendors, the manufacturing partnerships of the leading branded vendors and contract manufacturers, as well as discussion of the regional production trends of each product. To purchase this document, call IDC's sales hotline at 508-988-7988 or email sales@idc.com.