Touch panel solution maker TPK Touch Solutions has stated that its shipments have not been disrupted by the earthquake that hit Japan on March 11 and its new plant will come online in the third quarter of 2011, which will more than double its capacity for backend modules.

TPK has a production capacity for 8-9 million 3.5-inch backend modules and two million 10-inch modules a month currently, and the capacity for each size will be expanded to 14 and six million units, respectively, by the third quarter, sources indicated.

Shipments of TPK's touch displays, which are composed of a touch module and a LCD panel, have been gaining momentum over the latest two quarters, said the sources, noting TPK shipments will continue to expand onward due the launch of iPhone 4.