Roadmap
Touch panel roadmap
The increasing adoption of Capacitive Touch technology has been driven by a fall in the cost of this technology, thereby opening up new and wider applications. The growing use of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sensors, as manufactured by ELK, rather than glass sensors, will play a key part in delivering continued cost reduction. ELK is constantly assessing new materials and implementing process improvements that deliver better value to our customers.
ELK's current pricing is very competitive but it is our internal target to reduce it further over the next 12 months. This is reflected in our forward pricing.
Product performance and quality are equally important. ELK has an on-going investment programme in new processes, equipment, and capacity to meet the growing demands of our customers.
ELK has the necessary capital and space to maintain this strategy of continuous improvement, and is committed to doing so.
Through widening our range of products and services ELK is now able to manufacture everything from an individual touch sensor through to a complete direct bonded touch display module. ELK will continue to broaden our capabilities in line with the requirements of our customers. For example, we are now being asked for advice and support in emerging technology fields such as "haptics", and ELK is now actively involved in this area.
Looking to the future, ELK sees the 7"+ touch panel market expanding fast, driven to an extent by increasingly sophisticated and cost competitive Capacitive Touch technology solutions. At the same time the customers for this technology are looking to buy complete touch panel assemblies rather than sourcing all the various elements individually. It is this vision that is driving our ongoing programme of investment and improvement.