iPad suppliers gear up for growth

Hong Kong: Component suppliers for Apple’s iPad are gearing up for a new round of production in the first quarter, sources said yesterday, with one saying the product will be a revamp of the popular tablet computer, including front- and back-mounted cameras.

Apple’s iPad has taken the world by storm since its introduction in January, winning over millions of fans and providing a much needed boost for a global technology sector still struggling with patchy demand. Touchscreen chip designer Wintek, battery maker Simplo Technology and AVY Precision, an unlisted maker of covers for electronic products, are among suppliers for the next batch of iPads, four people familiar with the situation said.