[Public Notice+] SFA Reports Q1 Operating Profit of 43 Billion KRW, Up 6% YoY... "Strong Performance Despite COVID-19"

Published 14 May.2020 14:12(KST)

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] SFA, a specialized company in display and semiconductor manufacturing equipment and clean logistics, announced on the 14th that its consolidated operating profit for the first quarter of this year was approximately KRW 43.012 billion, a 6.05% increase compared to the same period last year. During the same period, sales increased by 15.15% to KRW 367.644 billion, while net profit decreased by 12.12% to KRW 24.983 billion.

An SFA official explained, “Despite the domestic and international economic activity contraction caused by COVID-19, we were able to achieve significantly improved results compared to the same period last year, based on a diversified business portfolio including display, secondary batteries, and automated logistics systems, supported by a substantial order backlog.” He added, “The strong performance of our subsidiary, SFA Semiconductor, in server DRAM packaging also contributed to the solid results.”

Based on an order backlog of KRW 738.5 billion carried over from last year to this year, overseas display business sales increased by more than 40% compared to the same period last year. Additionally, the sales structure diversification was achieved, with the secondary battery business accounting for more than 20% of total sales, resulting in strong performance despite deteriorating domestic and international conditions. Separate sales also rose by 20% compared to the same period last year, reaching KRW 202.4 billion.

SFA is steadily improving its performance by diversifying its customer base through a diversified business portfolio including its core display equipment, secondary battery equipment, semiconductor equipment, and automated logistics.

Furthermore, the company plans to introduce various smart factory-related technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, big data analytics, cyber-physical systems, and predictive maintenance (PdM) across its business divisions.

An SFA official stated, “In the secondary battery business division, we have launched an appearance inspection machine integrated with AI technology. In the semiconductor business division, we have incorporated AI and PdM technologies to release a next-generation wafer transport system. We plan to continuously secure technological competitive advantages in each business division.”

Kim Young-min, CEO of SFA, said, “In response to the rapidly expanding smart factory-related business trend driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we will grow into a global comprehensive equipment company providing optimal solutions with the best technology.”