Taiwan-based touch panel maker TPK announced consolidated fourth-quarter 2011 revenues of NT$45.48 billion (US$1.54 billion), up 13.6% on quarter. However, due to amortization and wage increases, fourth-quarter 2011 gross margin dropped to 13.9%. Net profits were NT$1.53 billion and EPS reached NT$5.97, said TPK.

TPK indicated that first-quarter 2012 revenues will show a sequential decrease of 10-13% due to fewer working days. In addition, February and March revenues will be flat.

In fourth-quarter 2011, shipments of small-size products accounted for 73%, up from 64% in third-quarter 2011. Touch display (touch modules attached with display panels) shipments accounted for 64%, higher than 50% in the third quarter.

TPK reported 2011 consolidated revenues of NT$143.37 billion, up 140.6% on year with gross margin around 16.9%. Net profits were NT$11.344 billion and EPS were NT$46.12.

Small-size product shipments reached 100 million units in 2011, up 75%. Revenues of small-size products accounted for 64% of total revenues in 2011, down from 69% in 2010. Shipments of 7-inch and larger products exceeded 30 million units, representing an on-year increase of 200%.

Due to increasing demand for tablets, revenues of large-size products accounted for 36%, up from 31% in 2010.