Taiwan-based flexible PCB (FPCB) makers are likely to post single-digit declines sequential in revenues in the fourth quarter of 2010, due to inventory corrections by customers later in the quarter, according to industry sources. Some plays may manage flat growth on quarter, the best-case scenario.

Career Technology, Flexium Interconnect and Ichia Technologies enjoyed strong sales in the third quarter, with the former two setting record quarterly highs.

Career reported consolidated revenues of NT$2.88 billion (US$93 million) for the third quarter, up 9.9% on quarter. September sales slightly dropped from a record of NT$966 million in August to NT$961 million.

Career expects sales for October to outperform those in September, as demand for smartphones and tablets remains strong. However, shipments are likely to drop in December due to seasonality, the company indicated. Revenues for the fourth quarter are expected to stay flat, or drop slightly, on quarter.

Flexium saw consolidated revenues for September and the third quarter climb to its monthly and quarterly records of NT$465 million and NT$1.3 billion, respectively.

Judging from the current order visibility, Flexium said fourth-quarter revenues are likely to drop by a single-digit percentage point rate sequentially.

Ichia generated consolidated revenues of NT$2.61 billion in the third quarter, showing 28% growth on quarter. Sales of the company's FPCB business rose 8.8% on month to NT$494 million in September, accounting for 56% of its total sales.

Ichia indicated FPCB orders it has landed for October were similar to those received in September, but visibility for November and December is still unclear.