PCB Supplier Expands Capacity to Meet AI Hardware Demand
Zhen Ding Technology aims to reach 59 factories by 2030 to overcome 12-month lead times for manufacturing equipment.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Semiconductors
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Zhen Ding Technology Holding Ltd, the world's largest printed circuit board (PCB) supplier, reports ongoing supply constraints for critical components as lead times for manufacturing equipment reach 12 months. To mitigate these bottlenecks, the company announced plans to expand its facility footprint from 28 to 59 factories by 2030.
Why it matters
The rapid proliferation of AI servers is straining the underlying hardware supply chain, forcing major manufacturers to aggressively scale capacity. This expansion is essential for supporting the infrastructure requirements of global cloud service providers investing heavily in artificial intelligence.
The company faces a 12-month lead time for specialized laser manufacturing tools. By 2030, Zhen Ding projects high-density interconnects (HDI) will command 38% of revenue, surpassing flexible and rigid board segments.
The players
Zhen Ding Technology Holding Ltd
The world's largest printed circuit board supplier that provides essential hardware for consumer electronics and server infrastructure.
Nvidia Corp
A lead-market designer of graphics processing units and AI-focused hardware that relies on advanced circuit board supply.
Apple Inc
A global consumer electronics manufacturer that serves as a primary customer for advanced circuit board and component supply.
The details
Zhen Ding is scaling up production of high-density interconnects (HDI) — complex, multi-layered circuit boards that allow for higher wiring density in limited spaces — to support AI server architectures. The firm is also building capacity for optical modules, which use light rather than electrical signals for faster data transmission between chips. These manufacturing processes require specialized laser tools, the procurement of which is currently constrained by year-long wait times.
Timeline
October 19, 2026: Zhen Ding holds a media briefing in Taipei to discuss market constraints.
2028: HDI revenue is expected to surpass revenue from flexible circuit boards.
2030: Target year for the company to reach 59 operational factories.
The Tech Race
Zhen Ding is attempting to outpace supply bottlenecks by more than doubling its global factory count. This aggressive roadmap reflects a broader industry race to secure component availability for the surging AI server market.
Hardware manufacturers relying on advanced PCBs may face ongoing product release delays due to the 12-month equipment lead times. Until the company reaches its 2030 factory capacity targets, lead times for high-performance AI hardware components will likely remain extended.
The takeaway
The sector's ability to support the AI boom depends on clearing long-term bottlenecks in manufacturing equipment procurement. Investors and engineers should monitor whether Zhen Ding hits its 2028 milestone, when high-density interconnects are expected to become the firm's primary revenue driver.
Further reading
For more on the hardware driving modern computing, see our Semiconductors section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Taipei Times.
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