Innovalue dazzles at Taiwan Excellence Awards Taiwan Excellence Gold and Silver Awards underscores MIT Innovalue (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) TAIPEI, TAIWAN, May 22, 2008 - The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) today announced the eight winners of the prestigious Taiwan Excellence Gold Awards at a gala ceremony in Taipei, hosted by Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Chii-Ming Yiin and attended by Taiwan's captains of industry. The 16th annual awards pay tribute to products from Taiwan that most embody the spirit of "innovalue" - "innovation" combined with "added value", as voted by a panel of international judges. Their areas of expertise range from R&D, design, quality, to marketing, mirroring this year's four criteria for awards selection. This year, the award-winning products have great diversity in terms of their respective target consumers, the price range and the representation of various industries, said Ing-Feng Lin, chairman of the Taiwan Excellence Awards. This year's Gold Award winners include notebook, ultra-slim display, communications products, module, document camera, as well as super bike. ASUSTek Computer INC. impressed judges across the board with its internet gadget, Eee PC 4G. Ralph Wiegmann, General Manager of iF International Forum Design GmbH, said the Eee PC is a perfect example of innovation where the four key elements of R&D, design, quality, and marketing truly came together. "Eee PC drives innovation, it's pioneering and has opened up a whole new market segment." said Wiegmann. Eee PC 4G only weights 0.92kg and features mobility, reliability and connectivity, allowing users to travel with it everywhere and always stay connected, while enjoying unparalleled shock-protection and reliability. "It captures the essence of what a lot of people have been looking for and hoping for a long time." said Alan Lammin, Publishing Director for Asia, TIME Magazine, elaborating on its mobility, functionality and simplicity. In addition, ASUSTek Computer INC. picked up another Gold Award with its Portable Navigation Device R700t. R700t with its stylish and slim outlook provides a 3D panoramic view that makes it simple for users to navigate complicated and multi-level junctions. In addition, it contains a built-in auto light sensor and Bluetooth Handsfree functions in enhancing driving safety for users. "R700t is really a wonderful design piece, regarding the shape and angle," said Wiegmann "and it's really easy to handle." "ASUS as a company has really impressed me." said Luke Peters, Deputy Editor and Spokesperson of T3 magazine. AVerMedia Information, Inc. has won a Gold Award for its AVerVision SPB350 document camera, a product that provides instant display with 30 frame rate per second and offers practical functions with diversity and image effect with high quality up to 1080p. "It embodies a simple technology and the value of that is enormous." said Lammin Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp. was awarded a Gold Award for its elegantly designed ultra-slim LCD panel. This ultra-slim 13.3-inch WXGA panel provides lightness and thinness, high brightness, and low power consumption. Furthermore, this 13.3-inch wide notebook display offers better performance, mobility and outdoor readability. "Chi Mei deserves the applause for its work on the screen" said Peters, who just learned that major global brands actually use Chi Mei's LCD for their products. He also praised the product using LED as a way to improve energy efficiency. "It's the most sophisticated screen I have seen." Lammin echoed that sentiment. GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD picked up a Gold Award for its Multi-Media IP-TV Box. The TV Box, named Glee Cube, allows users to watch TV/ DVD programs while serving as a Home Surveillance device by connecting users' PC or PDA mobile phone via the Internet. Peters praised the Glee Cube box as an excellent example of how home networking and home device should be in the future. "It's like a gateway that allows you to access many devices at home wherever you are." The world's first 3.5G GPS Touch phone, Touch Cruise P3650 by High Tech Computer Corp., was awarded a Gold Award. Its Built-in GPS functionality and the included software enable users to find the fastest route to their destination, locate restaurants and services on the way, and never get lost. HIWIN TECHNOLOGIES CORP won a Gold Award for its environmental-friendly module. This Ecological & Economical lubrication module successfully reduces the space requirement for lubricator and maintenance care, as well as prevent oil leakage. "This product has strong core technology, as well as tailor-made flexibility to meet the needs of various companies that require this type of parts for their machinery." said Seijiro Oshimura, Officer, Japan Society Quality Control (JOQC) and member of the Deming Prize Committee, Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers (JUSE). Merida Industry Co. LTD was awarded a Gold Award for its Ninety Six carbon full suspension bike. It combines all the latest techniques of carbon manufacturing and NANO-MATRIX material, which improves the frames' impact resistance by 40%. Touching personal lifestyle A shared view among the judges this year is Taiwanese companies need to figure out how to have a connection to their customers in a more personal and emotional way, which leads to the branding promotion, rather than the technical specification of the product. "Product has features, brand has emotions and emotion last longer in people's mind." said Lammin. Peters added by saying for any product that wishes to stay competitive in the international market must have 2 key aspects; be recognized as a brand and offers value to customer. In addition, he also mentioned people nowadays look for style and design of the products, not just the technical specification, when making buying decision. "Whether it fits their lifestyle or not." said Peters. Wiegmann also echoed the importance of branding. He thinks Taiwanese companies have achieved a great level in terms of technology and He is confident of the product's quality that made in Taiwan. Nevertheless, he encourages Taiwanese companies to devote more efforts in branding and to connect their consumers by branding, which would generate greater positive outcomes not only for the company, but also for Taiwan as a country. Please visit www.taiwantrade.org.tw or www.brandingtaiwan.org for more information. Contact in Taiwan: TAITRA - Andrew Liu +886-2-27255200 ext. 1388 andrewliu(a)taitra.org.tw GolinHarris - Bryan Yen +886-2-2722-5369 ext. 165 byen(a)golinharris.com