HTC reports upbeat 2010 results, to double Shanghai capacity

It is that sweet time of the year whenfigures start raining in as companies announce their results for thelast quarter closing the past year and looking at the bright futureahead. By no means it is bright for everyone, but HTC's healthyprofit and revenue growth show an optimistic outlook for a companythat was rarely in the highlights just two years ago.

The company's own Peter Chou announcedthat the company shipped more than twice as much phones in 2010 witha total of 24.6 million units, up from 11.7 million for 2009.HTC saw net profits surge 75% to $1.23 billion (NT$ 39.5 billion) onthe year, while revenue skyrocketed 93% to $9.54 billion (NT$278.8)from last year's $4.96 billion (NT$144.5).

But this news is hardly the limit forthe Taiwanese giant. The “quietly brilliant” company announcedthat it will double capacity in its core Shanghai facilitiesand a new plant in Taiwan is also in the plans. Outsourcingproduction was also hinted. The first quarter of next year is equallybright as 4G will keep on pushing HTC and demand remains “visibleand solid.”

In the fourth quarter of 2010 theTaiwanese company shipped a record 9.1 million handsets to reach its24.6 million yearly result. The average price took an upward turn to$364 after it reached a plateau at around $340 in the first threequarters of the year.

The upbeat financial results came onthe background of 50% global brand awareness, which HTC wants tocapitalize on with optimized organization. Its main goals for nextyear are tostrengthen its brand value and more interestingly “to build brandpreference and emotional connection to HTC.”

North America accounted for more thanhalf of HTC's revenue and this is no surprise with the massive 4Glaunch in the States. HTC managed to catch the industry first titlesfor 4G phones for both Sprint (HTC EVO 4G) and T-Mobile(T-Mobile myTouch 4G). But it has 2011 secured as well as it isexpected that HTC will cater the first 4G handsets for the U.S.biggest carriers – Verizon (HTC ThunderBolt) and AT&T (HTC Inspire 4G).

In its Q&A session, the companypointed out the importance of the growing Asian market, especiallyafter the wider launch of 3G technologies in many Asian countries.The Desire lineup along with the HTC Wildfire fueled Asian/Europeangrowth for the phone manufacturer.

source: PRvia Unwired View (PDF)