HIWIN Outlook: Order Visibility Extends to Q1 2027! Chairman Cho Optimistic on H2, Confident in Double-Digit Revenue Growth

The 2026 Taiwan Robotics and Smart Automation Show (TAIROS) opened today (19th). Benefiting from the global surge in AI and semiconductor equipment demand, HIWIN (2049-TW), a leading motion control manufacturer, is experiencing strong order inflows, with order visibility extending into the first quarter of next year (2027). Chairman Cho Wen-heng stated in an interview that lead times for ball screws have now stretched beyond six months, and Q1 2027 is nearly fully booked. Factories are operating under full overtime to meet demand, with plans to add 400 employees by year-end. Fueled by strong procurement momentum in Asian and U.S. markets, robot-related revenue has risen to 12% of total sales. He remains optimistic that second-half performance will surpass the first half, with double-digit annual revenue growth firmly on track.

With rising demand from automation and AI industries, Cho revealed that HIWIN's order visibility for ball screws has already reached Q1 2027, with delivery times extended to over six months. Lead times for high-end 'precision-ground screws'—in high demand from Asia's precision industries—exceed six months. By year-end, total screw output is expected to grow by 20%. Lead times for linear guide products have also reached four to five months, with output projected to increase by 10% to 15% by year-end.

Amid continuously lengthening lead times, Cho emphasized that the company currently has no plans for further price hikes, instead relying on overtime and aggressive equipment expansion to meet order demand.

To cope with full production capacity and new product development, HIWIN has already added over 200 employees to its production lines since the beginning of the year, with total hiring expected to reach 300 to 400 by year-end.

In terms of organizational structure, the company has established a dedicated project division for humanoid robots and their mechanical components, responsible for new product R&D and subsequent mass production. Currently, robot-related products—including industrial, wafer-handling, single-axis robots, and key components—account for 12% of total revenue, a proportion expected to continue rising.

Regarding regional market performance, Cho noted that Asia and the U.S. remain the strongest performers. Markets in Taiwan and mainland China are seeing robust procurement demand, driven by strong demand for mainland China's new energy vehicles, AI-related processing equipment (such as heat dissipation, connectors, and cabinet machining), and semiconductors. Markets in South Korea, India, and Southeast Asia are also gradually warming up. The European market remains relatively flat for now.

On capital expenditures, Cho indicated that this year's capex is expected to match last year's (2025) level of NT$2.7 billion, primarily allocated to the construction of the Dapu-Mei factory, equipment procurement, and the replacement of outdated machinery—laying a solid foundation for the next wave of automation demand.