Boosting production of SMD types still key objective in choke coils

The miniaturization trend in major applications computer, communication and consumer electronics products continues to drive line.

China suppliers of choke coils persist in efforts to increase yield of SMD units, which now have about 30 percent share of the DIP-dominated category. They are counting on the climbing shipments of 3C products to keep fueling demand, and are expecting annual sales growth of more than 10 percent in the short term.

Haining Ferriwo Electronics Co. Ltd will raise the portion of SMD types to 60 percent by end-2015 from 50 percent at present. Hefei Shirui Electronic Technology Co. Ltd will double its volume in the months ahead, with 40 percent as the target share.

In addition, some manufacturers are working to achieve slimmer profiles than the mainstream 4 to 6mm. Key local player Shenzhen Sunlord offers an SMD wirewould chip common-mode coil, which is 0.8mm in thickness. Shanghai Meisongbei Electronics Co. Ltd has developed 1.6mm models.

Companies also continue to improve product attributes through high-quality materials and enhanced manufacturing methods. They focus on widening the operating temperature range to suit automotive applications, an emerging market. Typical releases support -40 to 85 C, but those for the latter use reach 125 C. On the whole, suppliers modify designs based on customers' specific needs.

Choke coils for the computer, communication and consumer electronics industries account for over 70 percent of worldwide output. The component is likewise adopted in PV products, LED lighting, power supplies and home appliances. The second is a particularly promising sector.

Rising requirement from these downstream applications has encouraged mainland China companies to raise their revenue targets this year. Haining Ferriwo plans to realize 20 to 30 percent higher sales, and Shanghai Meisongbei a flat 30 percent. The latter will bolster production capacity by 10 to 20 percent each year. Hefei Shirui is looking to hit about 40 percent growth in revenue. It will increase production capacity by 20 percent annually.

There are about 300 suppliers of choke coils in the mainland, churning out 30 percent of global yield.

They include major industry players TDK, Murata, Toko and Sumida, and Taiwan- and Hong Kong-invested operations.

Local businesses make up 80 percent of the pool.

The key manufacturing hubs are the Pearl River and Yangtze River Delta regions, specifically the coastal provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

See a comparison table of choke coil suppliers on GlobalSources.com