Winmate Forecasts Quarterly Growth This Year, Plans New Plants in Japan and Thailand to Diversify Production Risks
At its shareholders' meeting on May 20, industrial PC manufacturer Winmate announced it expects quarterly growth this year and plans to expand overseas to mitigate risks. Chairman Lü Gu-ching stated that a factory will be set up in Japan in the second half of the year to meet drone demand, with plans to acquire a Thai factory next year to serve markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The company will also deepen integration in the defense, maritime, and semiconductor supply chains and develop edge AI applications with IC companies.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 12:54
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(CNA, by Wu Chia-hao, Taipei, 20th) Industrial PC manufacturer Winmate held its annual shareholders' meeting today, where Chairman Lü Gu-ching stated that based on orders in hand, the company expects to see quarterly growth this year. Q2 revenue is projected to set a new record high, with a chance for double-digit growth for the full year. A production base will be established in Japan in the second half of this year to meet local drone demand, and there are plans to acquire a factory in Thailand next year to further diversify production risks.
Winmate's Q1 consolidated revenue reached NT$947 million, an 18.21% year-on-year increase and a record high for the same period. Affected by rising memory costs, the gross margin fell to 36.52%, a decrease of 5.27 percentage points year-on-year. Operating profit was approximately NT$143 million, a 14.03% decrease from the previous year, with earnings per share at NT$1.80.
Lü said that last year's revenue grew to NT$3.6 billion, raising its ranking among large Taiwanese manufacturers to the 700s, with a goal to reach the 600s in the next fiscal year. Future operations will focus on integrating supply chains for the defense, maritime, and semiconductor industries. Edge artificial intelligence (AI) applications are already being developed in collaboration with several IC companies, with hopes for gradual implementation.
Regarding overseas expansion, he mentioned that after establishing a branch in India last year, Winmate set up a branch in Korea early this year, collaborating with local manufacturers to build a production base, optimistic about the strong demand in Korea's IT industry and defense applications.
Lü revealed that Winmate plans to invest in and acquire a Thai factory with basic manufacturing capabilities and about 100 to 200 employees. Due diligence will be conducted in June this year, with the acquisition expected next year. The Thai plant's location can be leveraged to serve the Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, and European markets.
Lü pointed out that the main markets for Winmate's drone products are Northeast Asia and the Middle East, followed by Europe, with most customers being local military units. Winmate's related products are all independently designed, unlike most products on the market that rely on Chinese manufacturing.
He also mentioned that Winmate is in talks with a Taiwanese semiconductor equipment company for a strategic partnership to integrate Winmate's monitoring systems and computer dashboards into semiconductor fab equipment, with more clarity expected in the third quarter of this year.
Winmate's Q1 consolidated revenue reached NT$947 million, an 18.21% year-on-year increase and a record high for the same period. Affected by rising memory costs, the gross margin fell to 36.52%, a decrease of 5.27 percentage points year-on-year. Operating profit was approximately NT$143 million, a 14.03% decrease from the previous year, with earnings per share at NT$1.80.
Lü said that last year's revenue grew to NT$3.6 billion, raising its ranking among large Taiwanese manufacturers to the 700s, with a goal to reach the 600s in the next fiscal year. Future operations will focus on integrating supply chains for the defense, maritime, and semiconductor industries. Edge artificial intelligence (AI) applications are already being developed in collaboration with several IC companies, with hopes for gradual implementation.
Regarding overseas expansion, he mentioned that after establishing a branch in India last year, Winmate set up a branch in Korea early this year, collaborating with local manufacturers to build a production base, optimistic about the strong demand in Korea's IT industry and defense applications.
Lü revealed that Winmate plans to invest in and acquire a Thai factory with basic manufacturing capabilities and about 100 to 200 employees. Due diligence will be conducted in June this year, with the acquisition expected next year. The Thai plant's location can be leveraged to serve the Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, and European markets.
Lü pointed out that the main markets for Winmate's drone products are Northeast Asia and the Middle East, followed by Europe, with most customers being local military units. Winmate's related products are all independently designed, unlike most products on the market that rely on Chinese manufacturing.
He also mentioned that Winmate is in talks with a Taiwanese semiconductor equipment company for a strategic partnership to integrate Winmate's monitoring systems and computer dashboards into semiconductor fab equipment, with more clarity expected in the third quarter of this year.