Philips BenQ Digital Storage (PBDS) expects its 2005 revenues to increase 50% on-year to US$900 million next year, according to CEO Joseph Chuang of both PBDS and Philips Taiwan.

PBDS currently focuses its production on half-height (H/H) optical disc drives (ODDs) for use in desktop PCs, Chuang pointed out. PBDS expects to ship 24-25 million ODDs this year and reach revenues of US$600 million, Chuang noted.

The forecast 50% revenue growth for 2005 will be driven by PBDS extending its product lines to consumer products, such as portable DVD players and car-use DVD players, as well as optical engines for DVD recorders, Chuang indicated. In addition, a number of second-tier and smaller ODD makers are expected to withdraw from the ODD market next year, providing PBDS with an opportunity to grab more market share, Chuang added.

For 2005, PBDS plans to ship 40 million ODDs, including consumer products, and become the third largest maker in terms of global market share, according to Chuang.

From DigiTimes