-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- I-Connect007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current Issue
Beyond the Rulebook
What happens when the rule book is no longer useful, or worse, was never written in the first place? In today’s fast-moving electronics landscape, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, no proven path, and no tidy checklist to follow. This is where “Design for Invention” begins.
March Madness
From the growing role of AI in design tools to the challenge of managing cumulative tolerances, these articles in this issue examine the technical details, design choices, and manufacturing considerations that determine whether a board works as intended.
Looking Forward to APEX EXPO 2026
I-Connect007 Magazine previews APEX EXPO 2026, covering everything from the show floor to the technical conference. For PCB designers, we move past the dreaded auto-router and spotlight AI design tools that actually matter.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - I-Connect007 Magazine
Zhen Ding Reported Its 1Q25 Results, with Revenue Hitting a Record High for the Same Period
May 16, 2025 | Zhen Ding TechnologyEstimated reading time: 3 minutes
Zhen Ding Technology Holding Limited a global leading PCB manufacturer, today announced its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2025. Revenue for the first quarter of 2025 was NT$40,082 million, up 23.3% YoY, reaching a record high for the same period. Operating profit reached NT$1,056 million, up 42.2% YoY. Net income was NT$1,025 million, net income to parent was NT$632 million, and EPS was NT$0.66.
According to Zhen Ding, revenue for the first quarter marked a record high for the same period, with double-digit growth across all four major applications, including Mobile Communications, Computer and Consumer Electronics, Server/Automotive/Optical, and IC substrates, demonstrating strong competitiveness of its diversified product portfolio across key application markets. Gross margin declined YoY due to a NT$510 million increase in depreciation from continued investments in capital expenditures and the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. However, with stringent control of OPEX, operating margin rose by 0.3 percentage points YoY to 2.6%, and operating profit grew by 42.2%, reflecting ongoing improvements in operational efficiency.
Amid rising uncertainty in global trade due to potential US tariff policies, Zhen Ding emphasized that its direct sales to the U.S. make up less than 0.5% of its total revenue, indicating minimal direct impact at this point. The company will continue to closely monitor end-market demand and flexibly allocate global capacity to ensure operational agility and stability. Despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges, Zhen Ding remains optimistic about rising demand for edge AI devices, including AI smartphones, smart glasses, humanoid robots, and intelligent vehicles. This combines with new orders in high-end applications including AI servers, optical, and IC substrates, will drive revenue growth across all four major applications this year. Overall, the company maintains its target of achieving record-high revenue in 2025.
In terms of IC substrates, Zhen Ding continued its strong growth momentum following a 75% revenue growth in 2024, delivering nearly 30% YoY growth in the first quarter of 2025. This was mainly driven by sustained demand for high-end IC substrates under the “China for China” strategy from customers in both China and overseas markets. The company expects IC substrates to be its fastest-growing business segment this year, targeting over 40% full-year revenue growth.
Looking ahead to the evolution of IC substrate technology, Zhen Ding noted that 2.5D/3D advanced ABF substrates are expected to exceed 24 layers, with sizes potentially surpassing 120×120 mm, posing greater challenges for manufacturing processes. To meet the growing global demand for advanced packaging ABF substrates, the company is accelerating the development at its Kaohsiung AI Park to expand capacity for high-end ABF substrates, aiming to become one of the world’s top five IC substrate manufacturers by 2030.
Meanwhile, Zhen Ding is actively investing in advanced technologies, partnering with global clients to co-develop new products and technologies for the next 1-2 years. For foldable and wearable devices, it leverages dynamic bending FPC modules and ultra-long FPC assemblies to become a key supplier for foldable smartphones, AR/VR devices, and AI glasses. For AI servers, it offers advanced HDI solutions that support GPU modules and high-speed transmission interfaces, meeting the demands of high- performance computing. For optical, it provides advanced mSAP designs targeting the 800G/1.6T upgrade cycle, and works closely with customers to develop next-generation 3.2T solutions.
Amid increasing global macro uncertainty, Zhen Ding is accelerating the digital transformation of its global manufacturing sites to improve per capita productivity and enhance overall operational
efficiency. In parallel, the company continues to strengthen its global manufacturing footprint with manufacturing facilities across Mainland China, Thailand, Kaohsiung, and India, aiming at enhancing operational resilience and supply chain agility. Phase 1 of the new Thailand fab began trial production on May 8, serving demand in high-end server, automotive, and optical applications, while groundbreaking of Phase 2 fab also took place on the same day. Capacity expansion for high-end ABF substrates and RPCBs at the Kaohsiung AI Park is progressing as planned. Contribution to overall
performance from the Thailand and Kaohsiung sites is expected to gradually materialize from 2026- 2027, further reinforcing Zhen Ding’s leadership in the global PCB industry.
Testimonial
"Our marketing partnership with I-Connect007 is already delivering. Just a day after our press release went live, we received a direct inquiry about our updated products!"
Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/08/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007This week, I’ve selected some outstanding interviews that you’ll want to take note of. First, is a roundtable discussion featuring three dynamic industry cybersecurity experts. Please watch this important discussion that affects us all. Following that, I spotlight the IPC-2581 Consortium, which explains why IPC-2581 is the standard to replace Gerber data for manufacturing. Next, I am including my interview with PCBAA and AAM, who collaborated to release a short documentary on U.S. PCB manufacturing.
A Necessary Shift From Gerber to IPC-2581
05/07/2026 | Tracy Riggan, Global Electronics AssociationIPC-2581 is an open, vendor-neutral data exchange standard developed by the Global Electronics Association to streamline the exchange of PCB design information across fabrication, assembly, and test. It replaces multiple legacy formats—including industry standards, Gerber, and ODB++—with a single, comprehensive, XML-based dataset that captures all manufacturing details.
Green Circuits Heads to Peterson SFB to Support Next-Gen Space and Defense Electronics
05/05/2026 | Green CircuitsThe event, hosted at Peterson Space Force Base, brings together key personnel and mission partners supporting critical U.S. defense and space operations.
Trouble in Your Tank: In Complex Systems, Design Rules Aren’t Optional
05/06/2026 | Michael Carano -- Column: Trouble in Your TankThere is no question that the electronics industry, especially in circuit board design and fabrication, advanced packaging, and innovation throughout the value chain, has seen a significant transformation, whether it be in materials, system architecture, HDI and ultra HDI, semiconductors, or chiplets. AI and high-performance computing (HPC) are driving change across several fronts, including material properties, assembly techniques (think hybrid bonding), and power management.
Meet Emerging Engineers: Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker, Summit Interconnect
05/05/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker both work for Summit Interconnect, and are in their second year of the Global Electronics Association’s Emerging Engineer Program with mentor Brian Chislea. They stopped by the I-Connect007 booth at APEX EXPO and shared a bit of their story with me. Patrick has worked at the Hollister, California, plant since 2018, while Eric has been at the Chicago site since 2023. Like many of their peers, they came to the electronics industry from different paths, but are both excited about making an impact.