Challenges facing the core business amid semiconductor industry adjustments and the growing reuse of FOSBs
First written in FY2017-Q1. 21 of 42 entries say "Restated". Latest entry: FY2027-H1.
The whole theme swung hardest in 2023: 9 of 15 companies on the "Worse" side.
4 other companies' latest entry also says "Mitigated".
- FY2027-H1MitigatedAnnual report
「In the plastic molding business, in addition to increased demand for advanced semiconductors driven by expanding data-center investment for generative AI, demand for existing products, particularly general-purpose products, also continued to recover from the trough in the fourth quarter of last year as inventory adjustments progressed, resulting in significant revenue growth.」
Increased demand for advanced semiconductors and a recovery trend in demand for existing products were noted, while the impact of inventory adjustments in the semiconductor market on the core business had eased compared with through the previous fiscal year. - FY2026-H1RestatedAnnual report
「In the plastic molding business, inventory adjustments in the semiconductor market, which had continued since the previous year, had generally bottomed. Although recovery varied by application and field, a gradual recovery trend continued.」
Inventory adjustments in the semiconductor market had generally bottomed, and a gradual recovery trend was said to be continuing, although conditions varied by application and field. Mitigation from the adjustment phase through the previous fiscal year was reconfirmed. - FY2025-H1MitigatedAnnual report
「Against this backdrop, inventory adjustments in the semiconductor market, which had continued since the previous year, had generally bottomed. Although recovery varied by application and field, the market was broadly on a recovery trend, resulting in higher revenue and earnings quarter on quarter. Revenue and earnings nevertheless declined year on year against a backdrop of continued strong demand in the same quarter of the previous year.」
Inventory adjustments in the semiconductor market were described as having generally bottomed, with the market broadly on a recovery trend. Although revenue and earnings continued to decline year on year, they increased quarter on quarter, indicating partial mitigation from the previous adjustment phase. - FY2025-Q1MitigatedAnnual report
「Inventory adjustments for semiconductor-related products continued and demand remained weak, but the market had bottomed. The business reported higher revenue and earnings quarter on quarter, although revenue and earnings declined year on year against a backdrop of strong demand in the same quarter of the previous year.」
Inventory adjustments for semiconductor-related products and weak demand continued, but the market was described as having bottomed, and revenue and earnings increased quarter on quarter. Revenue and earnings declined year on year, so the risks had not been eliminated, but signs of partial mitigation from the downturn through the previous quarter were indicated. - FY2024WorsenedAnnual report
「In the plastic molding business, demand in the semiconductor industry, the company's business domain, is in an adjustment phase and has stalled in the short term. However, signs of a bottom are being discussed across the industry, and the market is expected to enter a growth phase once it emerges from this adjustment.」
The adjustment phase in semiconductor demand continued throughout the fiscal year, and revenue in the plastic molding business declined 6.6% year on year while operating profit fell 29.1%. Although near-term conditions remained difficult, signs of a bottom and expectations for medium-term market expansion were also noted. - FY2024-Q3WorsenedAnnual report
「Against this backdrop, the plastic molding business deteriorated sharply in the current period as the semiconductor market languished amid increasingly apparent declines in demand for smartphones and PCs and restraints on capital investment by data centers and other customers. As a result, revenue for the nine months ended December 31 was ¥10,294 million, down 2.6% year on year; operating profit was ¥1,407 million, down 23.5%; ordinary profit was ¥1,470 million, down 22.0%; and net income attributable to owners of the parent was ¥997 million, down 22.8%.」
Declining demand for smartphones and PCs, restraints on capital investment by data centers and other customers, and the downturn in the semiconductor market became increasingly apparent, and current results deteriorated sharply. Consolidated revenue, operating profit, ordinary profit, and net income attributable to owners of the parent all declined year on year. - FY2024-Q2WorsenedAnnual report
「Against this backdrop, the plastic molding business remained resilient as the effects of restrained investment in the semiconductor market, declining demand for smartphones and PCs, and production adjustments for memory and other products gradually became apparent. However, higher labor and component costs and a downward trend in factory utilization resulted in higher revenue and lower earnings year on year.」
The effects of restrained investment in the semiconductor market, declining demand for smartphones and PC demand, and production adjustments for memory and other products were described as having become apparent. While revenue in the plastic molding business increased 8.7% year on year, operating profit declined 17.1%, showing the difficult conditions surrounding semiconductor-related demand in the results. - FY2024-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「Against this backdrop, the plastic molding business continued to report higher revenue and earnings quarter on quarter, as strong demand for semiconductor-related products persisted. However, revenue increased and earnings declined year on year because several high-value-added products had been concentrated in the same quarter of the previous year.」
Strong demand for semiconductor-related products continued, but the plastic molding business reported higher revenue and lower earnings because of the reversal of the concentration of high-value-added products in the same quarter of the previous year. There was no material change in the risk environment for semiconductor demand. - FY2023RestatedAnnual report
「There is also a possibility that an increase in the number of times device manufacturers reuse containers could affect demand for our containers.」
The company continued to disclose the possibility that increased reuse of containers such as FOSBs by device manufacturers could affect demand. Meanwhile, the plastic molding business remained firm during the fiscal year, supported by strong semiconductor demand. - FY2023-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「Against this backdrop, the plastic molding business performed relatively well. Although raw material and purchased component prices remained elevated, depreciation expense rose with the operation of certain additional production facilities, and labor costs increased, strong demand in the semiconductor market continued and high factory utilization was maintained.」
While the business faced higher raw material and component prices and increased expenses, strong demand in the semiconductor market and high factory utilization continued. No material structural changes in the existing risks surrounding the core business were indicated. - FY2023-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「Against this backdrop, the plastic molding business performed relatively well. Although prices for raw materials and other purchased components rose, high factory utilization was maintained on the back of strong demand in the semiconductor market.」
Strong demand in the semiconductor market and high factory utilization continued, and the plastic molding business performed relatively well. No new developments related to FOSB reuse or material changes in the existing risks were disclosed. - FY2023-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「Against this backdrop, the plastic molding business remained firm, as strong demand for semiconductor-related products continued, high factory utilization was maintained, and the business also handled spot orders for new high-value-added products.」
Strong demand for semiconductor-related products and high factory utilization continued, and the plastic molding business remained firm. No further deterioration was indicated in the existing risks related to semiconductor demand. - FY2022-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「Against this backdrop, the plastic molding business performed relatively well, as strong demand for semiconductor-related products continued and high factory utilization was maintained.」
Strong demand for semiconductor-related products and high factory utilization continued, and the plastic molding business performed well. No further deterioration was indicated in the existing risks related to semiconductor demand or FOSB reuse. - FY2022-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「Against this backdrop, the plastic molding business performed relatively well. Despite higher prices for raw materials and other purchased components, high factory utilization was maintained on the back of firm demand in the semiconductor industry, while the expansion of sales of new high-performance resin products also gradually began to gain traction.」
Firm demand in the semiconductor industry and high factory utilization were maintained, and the core business performed relatively well. No further deterioration in the existing risks related to semiconductor demand was indicated, reconfirming the relative mitigation provided by firm demand. - FY2022-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「In this business environment, the plastic molding business reported higher net sales and earnings year on year, as demand for semiconductor-related products remained firm and the results were also affected by changes in product mix and cost controls.」
Demand for semiconductor-related products was described as remaining firm, and the plastic molding business reported higher revenue and earnings. No new deterioration was identified in the existing risks related to adjustments in semiconductor demand or FOSB reuse, reconfirming the relatively mitigated conditions seen through the previous fiscal year. - FY2021MitigatedAnnual report
「(Plastic molding business) For the consolidated fiscal year under review, net sales were ¥8,543 million (up 11.4% year on year) and operating income was ¥1,230 million (down 10.5% year on year).」
The plastic molding business, including semiconductor-related products, generated higher net sales against a backdrop of strong semiconductor demand, and the sales environment for the main business eased from the adjustment phase through the previous fiscal year. Operating income declined, however, and earnings remained under pressure from factors including FOSB reuse and cost burdens. - FY2021-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「The global economy remained sluggish during the cumulative third quarter under review due to the US-China trade friction, the spread of COVID-19 and other factors. Demand in the semiconductor industry remained firm, but the company reported higher net sales and lower earnings year on year, partly due to quality improvement activities and changes in product mix.」
While the global economic downturn and the impact of COVID-19 and other factors continued, semiconductor demand remained firm. No new structural change was indicated in the risk environment surrounding the main business. - FY2021-Q2MitigatedAnnual report
「In this business environment, demand in the semiconductor industry remained firm, while capital expenditure in the molding machinery market was approached cautiously and demand remained weak.」
While the stagnation of the global economy due to the US-China trade friction and the spread of COVID-19 continued, demand in the main semiconductor industry was described as firm. The difficult conditions previously associated with semiconductor demand and FOSB were described as having eased, at least with respect to semiconductor demand. - FY2021-Q1WorsenedAnnual report
「The business environment surrounding the company became uncertain, with concerns over a substantial slowdown in domestic and overseas economies due to the impact of the spread of COVID-19 in addition to the economic slowdown caused by the US-China trade friction and other factors. In this business environment, demand for semiconductor-related products remained weak, and the company reported lower net sales and earnings year on year due to factors including higher development and quality improvement costs and changes in product mix.」
In addition to the US-China trade friction and the semiconductor market's adjustment phase, concerns over a slowdown in domestic and overseas economies due to the spread of COVID-19 were cited. Demand for semiconductor-related products remained weak, with consolidated net sales down 13.2% year on year and operating income down 57.4%. - FY2020-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「The business environment surrounding the company during the cumulative third quarter under review was difficult. The global economy remained sluggish due to the US-China trade friction and other factors, the semiconductor industry's adjustment phase continued from the second quarter, and demand for semiconductor-related products remained weak.」
The stagnation of the global economy due to the US-China trade friction and other factors, the semiconductor industry's adjustment phase, and weak demand for semiconductor-related products continued. No new risks or material changes were identified, and the difficult impact on the main business was reconfirmed. - FY2020-Q2WorsenedAnnual report
「The business environment surrounding the company during the cumulative second quarter under review was difficult, as the semiconductor market entered an adjustment phase against a backdrop of slowing global economic growth due to the US-China trade friction and other factors. Demand for semiconductor-related products remained weak. As a result, consolidated net sales were secured at approximately the same level as in the same period of the previous year. Net sales were ¥4,954 million (up 0.7% year on year), operating income was ¥702 million (up 15.3%), ordinary income was ¥769 million (up 6.4%), and net income attributable to owners of the parent was ¥503 million (down 9.5%).」
The slowdown in the global economy and the semiconductor market's adjustment phase against a backdrop of the US-China trade friction and other factors were explicitly identified, and demand for semiconductor-related products remained weak. This represented a more difficult market environment than the previous description of a pause in demand, while consolidated net sales remained at approximately the same level as in the same period of the previous year and operating income and ordinary income increased. The risk factors had emerged, but their impact differed by earnings item. - FY2020-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「In the plastic molding business during the cumulative first quarter under review, demand in the semiconductor and silicon wafer industries showed signs of a pause. The main product, shipping containers, performed well partly because the persistently high use of reused products had begun to stabilize, while in-process containers were weak as demand entered an adjustment phase.」
Demand in the semiconductor and silicon wafer industries showed signs of a pause, and in-process containers performed weakly during an adjustment phase. Meanwhile, the persistently high use of reused products stabilized and the main shipping containers performed well, so the impact was not uniform despite the remaining risk factor. - FY2019RestatedAnnual report
「The company's operating results for the fiscal year benefited from continued buoyancy and strong demand in the semiconductor and silicon wafer industries. In the plastic molding business, the company's main business, sales of its main product, shipping containers, remained strong despite the persistently high use of reused products.」
The buoyant semiconductor and silicon wafer industries and strong demand continued, and shipping containers performed well. The persistently high use of reused products continued to be cited, however, and no new structural change in the risk factor was indicated. - FY2019-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「The business environment surrounding the Group during the cumulative third quarter under review was relatively favorable. The semiconductor and silicon wafer industries remained buoyant, sales of the main product, shipping containers, remained strong despite the persistently high use of reused products, and shipments of in-process containers also continued steadily.」
The buoyant semiconductor and silicon wafer industries and strong sales of the main shipping containers continued, while the persistently high use of reused products remained. As through the previous quarter, the existence of the risk factor was reconfirmed, but no material structural change was described. - FY2019-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「The semiconductor and silicon wafer industries remained buoyant during the cumulative second quarter under review. Sales of shipping containers remained strong despite the persistently high use of reused products, while shipments of in-process containers were also strong. Against this relatively favorable business environment, sales exceeded expectations.」
The buoyant semiconductor and silicon wafer industries and strong sales of shipping containers and in-process containers continued. The previous risk factor, the persistently high use of reused FOSB products, remained, but sales exceeded expectations and no material change in the risk structure was indicated. - FY2019-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「Although the company operated amid a high level of reuse of silicon wafer shipping containers, the business environment surrounding it during the cumulative first quarter under review was favorable, supported by buoyant semiconductor and silicon wafer industries. However, factors including product mix and the burden of development and prototype costs put pressure on earnings, resulting in higher net sales but lower earnings year on year.」
Although the use of reused FOSB products remained high, sales conditions were described as favorable due to buoyant semiconductor and silicon wafer industries. Net sales increased 7.5% year on year, but operating income decreased 13.7%, and no new change was indicated in the underlying structure of the reuse-related risk. - FY2018MitigatedAnnual report
「The company's operating results for the fiscal year benefited from continued solid demand, supported by strong demand in the semiconductor industry, the absence of seasonal adjustments, and the reuse rate for FOSB wafer shipping containers remaining at a certain level. Full recovery from the earthquake in the previous fiscal year also contributed, resulting in higher net sales and increased earnings year on year.」
Although the FOSB reuse rate remained at a certain level, the sales environment improved due to strong demand in the semiconductor industry and full recovery from the earthquake, easing the risk's impact on performance from the previous fiscal year. - FY2018-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「During the cumulative third quarter under review, the business environment surrounding the Group was relatively favorable. Sales of the main product, shipping containers, remained relatively strong amid buoyant semiconductor and silicon wafer industries, despite the persistently high use of reused products.」
Sales remained relatively strong against a backdrop of buoyant semiconductor and silicon wafer industries, while the persistently high use of reused shipping containers continued. As in the previous quarter, the risk factor remained, but its impact on performance was described as having eased. - FY2018-Q2MitigatedAnnual report
「Against a backdrop of high demand in the semiconductor and silicon wafer industries, sales of the main shipping containers remained relatively strong despite the persistently high use of reused products. In addition, substantial shipments of in-process containers contributed to sales exceeding expectations. As a result, during the cumulative second quarter under review, net sales were ¥4,191 million (up 33.1% year on year), operating income was ¥573 million (up 323.8%), ordinary income was ¥852 million (up 182.9%), and net income attributable to owners of the parent was ¥648 million (compared with a net loss attributable to owners of the parent of ¥156 million in the same period of the previous year).」
Against a backdrop of high demand in the silicon wafer industry, sales of the main shipping containers remained relatively strong despite the persistently high use of reused products, and substantial shipments of in-process containers drove sales above expectations. Net sales, operating income and ordinary income exceeded the same period of the previous year, and the company returned to net income from a quarterly net loss, so the risk's impact on performance continued to ease. - FY2018-Q1MitigatedAnnual report
「Although the company operated amid a high level of reuse of silicon wafer shipping containers, the business environment surrounding it during the cumulative first quarter under review was relatively favorable in terms of sales, supported by strong activity in the semiconductor silicon wafer industry. As a result, net sales were ¥2,121 million (up 15.7% year on year), operating income was ¥301 million (up 54.4%), ordinary income was ¥313 million (up 46.3%), and net income attributable to owners of the parent was ¥263 million (compared with a net loss attributable to owners of the parent of ¥208 million in the same quarter of the previous year).」
Although the use of reused FOSB products remained high, sales conditions were described as relatively favorable due to strong activity in the semiconductor silicon wafer industry. Net sales, operating income and ordinary income exceeded the same period of the previous year, and the company returned to net income from a quarterly net loss in the same period of the previous year, so the risk's impact on performance was less severe than in the previous filing. - FY2017RestatedAnnual report
「The company's operating results for the fiscal year were affected mainly in the first quarter by the downturn in the silicon wafer market for semiconductors. Following the Kumamoto earthquake at the end of the first quarter, the company had to devote considerable effort to restoring operations and required additional time for customer requalification procedures. Together with the increasing reuse of FOSB, the company's main product and a 300mm silicon wafer shipping container, this resulted in difficult sales conditions.」
The impact of the semiconductor market downturn, customer requalification following the Kumamoto earthquake, and increasing FOSB reuse was confirmed for the full fiscal year. Full-year net sales were ¥6,994 million, down 13.9% year on year. - FY2017-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「However, the impact on sales from the increasing reuse of FOSB, our main product and a 300mm silicon wafer shipping container, remains substantial, and the business environment remains difficult.」
The impact on sales from increasing FOSB reuse remains substantial, and the difficult business environment continues. A recovery in production and shipments following the Kumamoto earthquake was indicated, but no material improvement was shown in this risk to the main business itself. - FY2017-Q2WorsenedAnnual report
「The business environment surrounding the company during the cumulative second quarter under review was extremely difficult in terms of sales. It was affected mainly in the first quarter by the semiconductor industry downturn, and after the Kumamoto earthquake, the customer requalification process required additional time. This, together with the increasing reuse of FOSB, the company's main product and a 300mm silicon wafer shipping container, resulted in net sales of ¥3,149 million (down 28.8% year on year), operating income of ¥135 million (down 68.6%), and ordinary income of ¥301 million (down 50.4%).」
In addition to the semiconductor industry downturn and increasing FOSB reuse, the time required for customer requalification procedures following the Kumamoto earthquake was cited as a new factor worsening conditions. Sales were described as being in an extremely difficult situation, and the impact was quantified through declines in net sales, operating income and ordinary income and a quarterly net loss of ¥156 million. - FY2017-Q1MaterialisedAnnual report
「In addition to the semiconductor industry downturn that has continued since the second half of the previous fiscal year, the increasing reuse of FOSB, our main product and a shipping container for 300mm silicon wafers, has kept conditions difficult. As a result, during the cumulative first quarter under review, net sales were ¥1,833 million (down 23.1% year on year), operating income was ¥194 million (down 27.1%), ordinary income was ¥214 million (down 37.3%), and net loss attributable to owners of the parent was ¥208 million (compared with net income attributable to owners of the parent of ¥189 million in the same quarter of the previous year).」
The company identified the semiconductor market downturn and increasing reuse of its main product, FOSB, as external risks, with their impact on performance reflected in lower net sales and earnings and a quarterly net loss.