Taiwan sales rise 15%

Taiwan's electronic manufacturing services companies saw a large increase in revenues during the third quarter of last year as demand rose from the same period in 2007.

The companies manufacture everything from iPods and iPhones for Apple Computer to electronic games for Sony. The companies have been sharpening their competitive edge by acquiring rivals, investing in advanced technology and offering unique services to their customers.

At the same time, a number of overseas rivals have seen their business slow and even contract.

"Taiwan-based EMS firms, as a group, have been outperforming the global EMS industry," said Michael Palma, an analyst with market research firm IDC.

"These firms have turned in combined annual growth rates of more than 20% for all but one quarter since the first quarter of 2007. The overall EMS industry has been growing quarterly at about 15% annually."

Hon Hai Precision Industry in 2005 became the world's largest EMS company, displacing competitor Flextronics International and other overseas companies.

Hon Hai counts many of the world's largest electronics brand names such as Dell, Apple, Nokia and Sony as its customers.