Chassis maker Catcher Technology expects revenue contributions from its notebook business reach over 50%, surpassing its smartphone business, which was the major revenue contributor in the past two years.

As demand from ultrabook vendors has increased significantly, Catcher expects its revenues from notebook business to increase to 50-55% and will continue to grow. To fulfill client demand, Catcher is also set to install 3,000 more CNC machines in 2012 in Taiwan and China, and will start production starting the second quarter.

Since smartphone and handset vendors have been adopting unibody chassis for close to two years, 50% of Catcher's revenues in 2011 came from smartphone products.

Sources from notebook brand vendors also pointed out that first-tier metal chassis makers such as Catcher and Foxconn Technology have already seen most of their capacity booked up by Apple; therefore, they are turning to seek assistance from smaller chassis makers or adopting different materials for their devices in order to receive stable supply as well as help reduce costs. Therefore, mid-range and entry-level ultrabooks, which are set to launch in the second half are unlikely to have unibody metal chassis designs.

Source:digitimes