
In 2002 Lite-On IT added a new business unit, Digital Consumer, to leverage our core competencies in optical storage from the IT industry in the consumer space. A third business unit, Automotive Electronics, was added in 2006 to focus on optical devices for the burgeoning automotive entertainment market.
Currently we employ over 311 engineers with at the Master & Ph.D. level in our R&D teams (approximately 5% of total employees) to help maintain our leading competitiveness in the optical drive space. We offer mature products such as CD-ROM, CD-RW, and DVD-ROM as well as more advanced products such as Combo drives (read CD/DVD, write CD-R/RW) and DVD-RW drives. We are also introducing next-generation Blu-ray drives in 2H 2006.
We maintain a commitment to quality, innovation, and manufacturing excellence coupled with a drive to continually introduce new features and products. This has helped us not only survive but also grow substantially during a period of consolidation where other players were forced out of the industry. Moreover, we continue to expand our position.
In April 2006 Lite-On IT acquired BenQ's ODD business propelling us to a global #2 position in the industry, and cementing our position as the world's largest OEM/ODM optical disc drive manufacture.
In June 2014 Lite-On IT merged into Lite-On Technology Corporation. Lite-On IT is eradicated after the merge.