Taiwan-based automation equipment provider Kenmec Mechanical Engineering will soon break into the supply chain of two China-based vertically-integrated solar suppliers, each of which is capable of producing more than 1GWp annually, according to industry sources.

Kenmec is expected to receive orders in large-volumes from the two major solar companies in China in the second and third quarters of 2011, the sources said. The soon-to-be clients reportedly are ranked among the worldwide top-10 vertically-integrated solar companies.

In addition to the new contracts, Kenmec will land follow-on orders in the second quarter from a Taiwan-invested solar module firm in China, the sources indicated.

In response, Kenmec said it is in talks with many solar companies for potential orders, without elaborating further.

Kenmec's China unit for solar equipment manufacturing is likely to generate more than CNY30 million (US$4.57 million) in 2011, up significantly from about CNY5 million in 2010, the sources estimated.

Kenmec specializes in production equipment for the FPD and semiconductor sectors. It diversified into the manufacturing of equipment for the production of solar cells and modules in 2009, and has grabbed orders from a Taiwan-based first-tier solar company.