Winbond Electronics Corp. is seeing a surge in rush orders following the Trump administration’s 90-day tariff exemption on semiconductor products, the memory chipmaker’s General Manager Chen Peiming said at an investor conference Wednesday.
The exemption covers critical tech components including semiconductors, flash drives, and memory cards, benefiting Taiwanese manufacturers like Winbond. Chen noted DDR3 and DDR4 memory prices are already rebounding, with DDR4 showing more significant gains.
Despite the immediate boost, Chen remains cautious amid multiple uncertainties. “We’re stepping carefully, as market variables remain unpredictable despite the influx of urgent orders,” he said.
The company has fully launched its LPDDR4 product series spanning 1Gb to 8Gb capacities, targeting smart home appliances, televisions, and drones. Its 32nm SLC NAND Flash demand continues rising, with 4Gb SLC NAND Flash shipments doubling year-over-year.
Winbond has returned its Taichung factory to full production since March while its Kaohsiung facility focuses on advanced 16nm processes. The company posted a first-quarter net loss of NT$1.09 billion (US$33.5 million) with a negative 4.8% operating margin.
While leading the global NOR Flash market and ranking third in SLC NAND, Winbond is actively reconfiguring its supply chain to navigate US-China trade tensions.
