General Electric Corp. (GE), a diversified industrial corporation, has reportedly acquired a stake in Taiwan-based mainboard maker Diamond Flower Industries, which produces industrial personal computers (IPCs), applied computing platforms (APCs) and mainboards for performance enthusiasts.

The U.S.-based giant have reportedly purchased 5.26% stake for $10.44 million in DFI in order to “attempt to enhance the Asia-Pacific marketing of GE Industrial, one of the six business groups of GE”, DigiTimes web-site claims. DFI reportedly pointed out that industrial automation solutions are products among offered by GE Industrial. It is also claimed that GE Fanuc, a joint venture of GE and Japan-based Fanuc, plans to negotiate in early 2007 with DFI for OEM production by the company.

The investment from the company that has the highest market capitalization in the world further outlines that, on the one hand, second-tier mainboard makers can remain independent, but. on the other hand, should receive investments from larger players to stay more competitive.

Currently, ACPs and motherboards account for 80% and 20%, respectively, of total revenues. For the general public DFI is known for its high-quality mainboards targeting PC performance enthusiasts. The manufacturer recently said that the company would cease to supply entry-level desktop solutions too boost its focus on the mid-range and high-end Infinity and LanParty motherboards.