Wafer probing service provider Ardentec is expected to post flat sequential growth in fourth-quarter revenues, beating its internal forecast of a 5-10% decrease, according to market watchers. Short lead-time orders are seen as a contributing factor.

In late October, Ardentec's Singapore fab received rush orders from the communications and automotive sectors, the sources indicated. The pull-in of orders has buoyed its sales performance thus for in the fourth quarter, the sources said.

Ardentec reported NT$432 million (US$14.2 million) in October consolidated revenues, up 8% on month. Consolidated revenues for January through October 2011 totaled NT$4.02 billion, showing a 4.5% decrease from a year ago.

Ardentec has not officially given its revenue guidance for the fourth quarter.

Ardentec president Chi-Ming Chang said previously that its fab in Singapore had cut into the supply chain of local foundry houses. The company was also seeking to expand its customer base in Korea through a recently-established subsidiary in Gyeonggi-do.

Ardentec in early 2011 revealed plans to set up a production site in Korea. The new facility commenced volume production in July 2011, and has just begun to generate income, according to the company.

In Taiwan, Ardentec has the capacity to probe 100,000 12-inch wafers a month.