First International Computer

First International Computer, commonly known as FIC, is a Taiwanese technology company whose business has evolved from computer distribution and personal-computer manufacturing into original-equipment manufacturing, systems integration, and specialized electronic design. Founded in Taipei in 1979 by Ming-J Chien and Charlene Wang, the company initially acted as a sales agent for mainframe and microcomputer products. It subsequently developed its own PC assembly capability, entered motherboard production, and expanded manufacturing and configuration operations across Taiwan, North America, Europe, Brazil, and mainland China. FIC became associated with the expansion of the early global personal-computer supply chain. During the 1980s and 1990s it assembled systems using Intel processors, produced motherboards at scale, designed personal computers under its own Leo brand, and supplied equipment to international computer companies. The company’s international manufacturing footprint included facilities or operations in the United States, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Brazil, and China. This geographic expansion supported both branded products and contract manufacturing for overseas customers. The company broadened its product and service portfolio during the 2000s. It developed an early all-in-one computer, supplied e-book products as an original-equipment partner for Panasonic, produced notebook computers for Fujitsu Siemens, launched a seven-inch ultra-mobile PC, and accepted value-added notebook orders from Fujitsu. In 2004, FIC reorganized as a holding-company structure, generally referred to as FIC Group, reflecting the diversification of its businesses and technical resources. From the early 2010s, FIC increasingly redirected its capabilities away from conventional consumer PCs and toward industrial and connected-electronics applications. Its industrial personal-computer business was spun off into Ubiqconn Technology in 2011, while FIC concentrated more heavily on automotive electronic design and manufacturing. The company also pursued smart-building, environmental-control, healthcare, and connected infrastructure opportunities. A reseller agreement with Tridium supported green-building and environmental-control solutions, and a later letter of intent with NTT DATA concerned healthcare-related business development. FIC’s current identity is therefore less centered on consumer computer brands than on business-to-business engineering and manufacturing. The company describes itself as an original-equipment manufacturer and system integrator for automotive electronics and smart-building controls, providing design consultancy and supply-chain management to automotive electronic suppliers. Its automotive activities include factory-installed products and in-vehicle systems, while its connected-energy work has included cloud-based DNP3.0 certification for FIC Green System in connection with Taiwan Power Company. FIC remains a Taiwan Stock Exchange-listed company under ticker 3701. Publicly available reference material does not establish a complete current executive roster or detailed financial profile.

First International Computer was established in Taipei in 1979 by Ming-J Chien and Charlene Wang as a sales agent for mainframe and microcomputer products. The company soon moved beyond distribution. In 1983 it assembled its first personal-computer systems under the Leo brand, and in 1987 it entered motherboard manufacturing with a large-scale facility in Hsien-Tien. By 1989, FIC was assembling PCs based on Intel processors. These steps established the company as a participant in the rapidly expanding personal-computer and component industry. FIC internationalized during the early 1990s. It opened subsidiaries in the United States and Europe in 1991, the same year it began producing its first internally designed personal computer and was first listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. A configuration plant in the Netherlands followed in 1994, and additional manufacturing or configuration facilities were established in Austin, Texas, in 1996; the Czech Republic in 1997; Brazil in 1998; and Guangzhou, China, in 1999. A new manufacturing headquarters in China was established in 2002. This network enabled FIC to support overseas customers, combine design and manufacturing work, and serve both branded-computer and OEM requirements. The company continued to expand its technology activities in the 2000s. In 2003 it created an early all-in-one personal computer and became an e-book OEM partner for Panasonic. In 2004 it reorganized into a holding-company structure known as FIC Group. The following year it became a notebook original-design manufacturing partner for Fujitsu Siemens. FIC launched a seven-inch ultra-mobile PC in 2007 and received value-added notebook orders from Fujitsu in 2008. These developments reflected the company’s attempt to extend its manufacturing and design capabilities into new portable-computing categories while maintaining its established component business. FIC’s strategic direction changed during the 2010s as the traditional consumer-PC market became more competitive. In 2010 the company entered a reseller agreement with Tridium for green-building and environmental-control solutions. In 2011 it identified automotive electronics as a central business opportunity and spun off its industrial personal-computer business into Ubiqconn Technology. This allowed FIC to reorganize its technical resources around automotive electronic design and manufacturing. In 2012 it signed a letter of intent with NTT DATA relating to healthcare business, illustrating its interest in connected and specialized systems beyond conventional computers. The automotive strategy developed further in the following years. Ubiqconn was selected as an in-vehicle system provider for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and FIC expanded factory-installed automotive products in 2016. Leo Chien, who joined the group in 2004, had become FIC’s chief operating officer in 2008 and began leading the group’s new-business development direction in 2011. He became chief executive officer in 2016. In 2021, FIC Green System passed cloud DNP3.0 certification associated with Taiwan Power Company, providing evidence of the company’s continuing interest in cloud-connected energy and infrastructure controls. FIC is now described as an original-equipment manufacturer and systems integrator for automotive electronics and smart-building controls. Its services include design consultancy, electronic manufacturing, and supply-chain management for automotive suppliers worldwide. The company remains listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 3701. The available reference material does not provide a complete account of current facilities, financial results, or the full present-day leadership team.

1. 2021FIC Green System cloud certification

   FIC Green System passed cloud DNP3.0 certification associated with Taiwan Power Company.

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2. 2014Ubiqconn selected for FIFA World Cup in-vehicle systems

   Ubiqconn was selected as an in-vehicle system provider for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

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3. 2011Automotive strategy and Ubiqconn spin-off

   FIC prioritized automotive electronic design and separated its industrial PC business into Ubiqconn Technology.

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4. 2007Seven-inch ultra-mobile PC launched

   FIC introduced a seven-inch ultra-mobile personal computer.

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5. 2004Holding-company reorganization

   The company reorganized as a holding-company structure known as FIC Group.

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6. 2003All-in-one PC and Panasonic e-book partnership

   FIC developed an early all-in-one PC and became an e-book OEM partner for Panasonic.

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7. 1991International expansion and public listing

   FIC opened United States and European subsidiaries, began its first internally designed personal computer, and was listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange.

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8. 1987Motherboard manufacturing begins

   The company entered motherboard manufacturing with a large-scale facility in Hsien-Tien.

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9. 1983First Leo-branded PC systems assembled

   FIC began assembling personal-computer systems under the Leo brand.

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10. 1979Company founded

    Ming-J Chien and Charlene Wang founded FIC in Taipei as a sales agent for mainframe and microcomputer products.

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A business-to-business Taiwanese electronics manufacturer and systems integrator combining product engineering, original-equipment manufacturing, and supply-chain services for automotive, industrial, and connected-building applications.

• Leo personal computersPersonal computers1983

  FIC assembled its first personal-computer systems under the Leo brand in 1983. The line represents the company’s early move from computer distribution into branded system assembly and personal-computer manufacturing.

• MotherboardsComputer components1987

  Motherboard manufacturing became a core part of FIC’s computer-hardware business after the company entered large-scale production in 1987. The business supported FIC’s own systems and its original-equipment and original-design manufacturing relationships.

• All-in-one personal computerPersonal computers2003

  FIC created an early all-in-one PC in 2003, combining the display and computing hardware in an integrated form factor. The product demonstrated the company’s ability to develop complete computer systems rather than only individual components.

• Seven-inch ultra-mobile PCMobile computing2007

  Introduced in 2007, FIC’s seven-inch ultra-mobile PC targeted portable computing in the period before smartphones and tablets displaced many small PC categories. The device extended the company’s work into compact, low-volume mobile systems.

• Automotive electronic systemsAutomotive electronics

  Automotive electronics became FIC’s principal strategic direction during the 2010s. The business covers electronic design and manufacturing, factory-installed products, embedded systems, and supply-chain support for automotive electronic suppliers.

• FIC Green SystemEnergy and building controls

  FIC Green System is associated with connected energy, environmental-control, and smart-infrastructure applications. In 2021 it passed cloud DNP3.0 certification associated with Taiwan Power Company, supporting interoperability and utility-oriented deployment.

• 2012Pursue healthcare business with NTT DATAOther

  FIC sought to apply its systems and connected-electronics capabilities to specialized markets beyond computing hardware.

  What changed. FIC signed a letter of intent with NTT DATA Corporation concerning healthcare business.

  Aftermath. The available reference does not specify whether the proposed healthcare initiative became a continuing commercial business.

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• 2011Redirect the group toward automotive electronicsStrategy

  FIC faced a changing personal-computer market and identified automotive electronic design and manufacturing as a longer-term opportunity.

  What changed. The group concentrated technical resources on automotive electronic design and manufacturing and spun off its industrial PC business into Ubiqconn Technology.

  Aftermath. FIC’s public business description increasingly emphasized automotive electronics, embedded systems, and systems integration rather than consumer computer production.

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• 2004Reorganize as a holding companyStrategy

  FIC had expanded across computer manufacturing, international operations, and OEM relationships, creating a broader group of businesses than its original computer-sales operation.

  What changed. The company reorganized into a holding-company structure known as FIC Group.

  Aftermath. The reorganization provided a group structure for subsequent notebook, embedded, industrial, and specialized-electronics activities.

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• 2021FIC Green System passes cloud DNP3.0 certification

  FIC Green System achieved cloud DNP3.0 certification associated with Taiwan Power Company, supporting its connected energy and infrastructure positioning.

  Product launchRegulation
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• 2011FIC shifts strategic focus toward automotive electronic design

  The company began emphasizing automotive electronic design and manufacturing as a new strategic growth direction, while separating its industrial personal-computer business into Ubiqconn Technology.

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• 2010FIC announces Tridium reseller agreement for green and environmental controls

  FIC announced a reseller relationship with Tridium to provide solutions for green-building and environmental-control applications.

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1. First International Computer
2. First International Computer official website