Leading supplier of materials and equipment for PCB, Wah Lee Industrial (3010.TW) has made significant strides in factory automation over the years, gradually yielding results. The company has entered the PCB industry and semiconductor backend testing processes, and is now in discussions with key electronics manufacturers. Overall, Wah Lee anticipates that revenue from automation-related efforts will increase next year compared to this year.

With the surge in demand for factory automation driven by the AI wave, Wah Lee has long supplied upstream materials and equipment to the PCB industry. The company has developed intelligent transport scheduling systems, unmanned vehicles, and smart warehouse solutions. Currently, Wah Lee holds the largest market share for automation equipment in smart factories within China's PCB sector.

In addition to the PCB industry, Wah Lee has collaborated with Japanese firms to introduce robotic arms and launched an EFEM (Equipment Front End Module) automation module for high-speed wafer and substrate handling, penetrating the backend semiconductor testing market. Beyond serving clients in Taiwan and China, Wah Lee has also expanded its reach into Southeast Asia, securing numerous orders.

Moreover, as leading electronics manufacturers diversify their operations away from PCs and mobile devices to include servers, networking, and automotive electronics, they are actively relocating production to Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Mexico to mitigate geopolitical risks. These new facilities have a strong inclination to adopt AI automation equipment, and Wah Lee is currently engaging with these manufacturers, creating positive prospects for future orders.

Three years ago, Wah Lee’s automation equipment clients placed large orders, but the pandemic delayed fulfillment. With the easing of pandemic restrictions and the acceleration of capacity transfers, the company has begun significant installations this year, which are expected to continue to grow next year.