UniPixel, Inc., a provider of Performance Engineered Films™ to the touchscreen and flexible electronics markets, announced today that as it moves toward volume production on the 24 design wins awarded in 2016, it expects to be shipping manufacturing validation units in the fourth quarter of 2016 to five, or 21%, of the programs. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company expects to deliver to seven, or 29%, of the programs awarded in 2016. Each customer has a number of production steps that their vendors must support in order to launch the customer’s new device.
Jeff Hawthorne, president and chief executive officer of UniPixel, said, “Our evolution from a technology developer to a manufacturer of critical components for the computer industry is proceeding at a rapid pace. We established our brand and shipped to our initial customers in 2015. During the current year we validated the market demand for our metal mesh XTouch sensors with 24 design wins and maintained a strong focus on increasing factory efficiency. We now head into 2017, which is the year we begin to fulfill customer demand in volume.
Mr. Hawthorne continued, “We are starting the product ramp in our current quarter which commences with smaller volumes building during Q4 2016, into 2017 and continuing into 2018. We are gratified that these major computer and tablet manufacturers are entrusting their latest devices to us.”
The Company also announced today that it recently shipped its two millionth touch screen sensor produced at its Colorado Springs manufacturing facility. This is an important milestone as the Company ramps to volume production on a number of its 2016 design wins. UniPixel has made significant process improvements at the manufacturing facility, having achieved material cost reductions of 49% and overall touch sensor yields by 35% during 2016 to date. The Company expects these process improvements will significantly enhance operating margins.
Additionally, UniPixel recently announced its XTouch sensors achieved Microsoft Pen Protocol as part of a device submitted for certification by a leading systems integrator. XTouch sensors have also recently achieved an equivalent certification for Wacom Pen certification. Wacom is a leading third-party provider of stylus products to computer manufacturers and end-user consumers alike. This certification favorably positions UniPixel’s XTouch sensors with device manufacturers, as they support the two major stylus protocols in the industry.”
