MPI probe card lead times stretch to 6 months on AI chip testing surge

Taiwan-based semiconductor testing interface provider MPI Corporation has reported that strong demand from the AI chip testing market has pushed probe card lead times to as long as six months, with visibility for some orders extending up to two years. Chairman Ko Chang-lin expects the company’s operations to grow quarter by quarter in 2026, targeting double-digit annual revenue growth and a strong likelihood of reaching a new record high for the full year.

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Geely overhauls European R&D to accelerate car launches

Geely, the world’s eighth-largest carmaker, is restructuring its European research and development operations to narrow the lag between domestic launches in China and international rollouts to less than six months. Supply chain executives say the move is not merely about shortening product cycles; it will determine whether Geely’s brands can fully capitalize on their technological edge before it fades in overseas markets.

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Apple business units and Nintendo drive Weblink’s optimistic 2H26 outlook

Weblink International, a subsidiary of Acer Group, is benefiting from growth in software subscriptions, Apple business device sales, and rising demand for Nintendo hardware and software, leading to a positive outlook for 2026. President Dave Lin noted that the second half typically outperforms the first, with subsidiary Protrade also seeing improved profits due to rising oil prices.

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LCD TV panel prices rise on sports-driven stocking and surge in memory costs

Global TV buyers and manufacturers are facing higher prices and tighter availability after leading brands accelerated panel purchases in the first quarter of 2026 to meet sports-driven demand and absorb rising memory costs. This front-loading kept demand unusually strong despite typical seasonal softness, putting pressure on large-size LCD TV panels and influencing pricing across global markets.

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