Date Announced: 09 Mar 2010 Demand for Energy Efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) Technology Fuels New Testing Services Sector.Testar Electronics Corporation, specialists in testing and optimizing Light Emitting Diode (LED) chips and a subsidiary of Chroma ATE Inc. (TPE: 2360), today announced it has signed definitive agreements to become an independent entity and to receive an institutional investment from WI Harper Group. This infusion of capital allows the 3-year old subsidiary to expand its operations and further establish its leadership role in providing testing services for LED chip manufacturers across Asia. “Testar is ideally positioned to take advantage of the vast business opportunity in LED testing services”.The ever-increasing demand for energy efficient and cost effective lighting is driving the rapid growth of LEDs to support a range of applications such as LCD-TV backlighting, laptop PC and computer screen backlighting and general illumination. Industry analyst iSuppli projects shipments of LEDs to nearly triple over the next three years from 63 billion in 2010 to 166 billion in 2013. This proliferation of LED-related products is creating a new professional services sector: LED chip testing. “LEDs are now used in street lighting, consumer electronics such as backlit TVs, vehicles and numerous unique applications,” said Mr. Leo Huang, founder, CEO and chairman of Chroma and founder of Testar Electronics Corporation. “We recognized early on that LED chip manufacturers have limited testing capability and must comply with evolving standards. By outsourcing LED testing, customers benefit from increased efficiency and improved quality, ensuring that manufacturers can achieve competitive prices for their high-grade chips.” “Testar is ideally positioned to take advantage of the vast business opportunity in LED testing services,” said Peter Liu, Chairman of WI Harper Group. “The insatiable demand for LEDs is placing pressure on chip manufacturers to increase throughput and Testar plays a critical role in this strategic market.” Testar continues WI Harper’s LED investment program that includes LED chip maker SemiLEDs Corp. and LED emitter, light engine and fixture provider NeoPac Lighting Group. ABOUT TESTAR EQUIPMENT CORPORATION Based in Taiwan, Testar was founded in 2007 as a subsidiary of Chroma (TPE: 2360). Testar is recognized as a domain expert in the testing and optimization of LED chips and Integrated Circuits (ICs). Contact: Tel:(03) 327-9600. Fax.:(03) 318-5442. Email: [email protected] and online www.testar.com.tw/english/profile/default.asp ABOUT CHROMA ATE INC. Chroma, (TPE: 2360), is well-known for its turn-key Testing, Automation and MES (Manufacturing Execution System) solutions for Power supplies, Solar Cells and Modules. The company was selected as one of “Asia’s 200 Best Companies under $1Billion” by Forbes in 2008. http://www.chromaate.com ABOUT WI HARPER GROUP Founded in 1993, WI Harper Group is a venture capital firm that invests in early and expansion stage companies with significant operations in China and aspirations to become global leaders. We are an active partner with a track record of over 100 investments in the technology, clean technology and health care sectors. The firm manages over $500 million in capital from our offices in Beijing, Taipei and San Francisco. www.wiharper.com
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