Expanding Vacuum Press Technology into New Fields and Markets

「This was due to increased demand for presses for forming copper-clad laminates and multilayer circuit boards in the industrial machinery business, against a backdrop of AI-related investment by overseas manufacturers.」

「During the nine months ended the third quarter, revenue from presses for forming copper-clad laminates and multilayer circuit boards, presses for forming automotive components and material-handling machinery progressed steadily, resulting in revenue of ¥4,138 million, up 7.2% year on year, progress of 70.6% against the segment’s full-year revenue plan, and operating profit of ¥478 million, up 51.4% year on year.」

「During the six-month period ended the second quarter, sales of press equipment for forming copper-clad laminates and multilayer substrates, press equipment for automotive parts, and material-handling machinery progressed smoothly as planned, resulting in sales of ¥3,246 million, up 52.5% year on year, representing 55.4% progress against the full-year sales plan for this segment.」

「In the previous consolidated fiscal year, sales were concentrated from the third-quarter consolidated accounting period onward. In the current consolidated fiscal year, delivery deadlines were not concentrated in any particular quarter. During the first-quarter consolidated accounting period, sales of press equipment for forming copper-clad laminates and multilayer substrates, press equipment for automotive parts, and material-handling machinery progressed smoothly as planned, resulting in sales of ¥1,662 million, up 40.4% year on year, representing 28.4% progress against the full-year sales plan for this segment. On the profit side, the increase in sales resulted in operating profit of ¥293 million, up 609.7% year on year.」

「Against a backdrop of a substantial order backlog, revenue from presses for forming copper-clad laminates and multilayer circuit boards, presses for automotive components and resin moulding, and material-handling machinery performed well.」

「Against a backdrop of a solid order backlog, sales of press equipment for forming copper-clad laminates and multilayer substrates, press equipment for automotive parts and resin molding, and material-handling machinery performed well, resulting in sales of ¥3,860 million, up 17.8% year on year, and operating profit of ¥316 million, up 8.7% year on year.」

「Revenue from presses for forming copper-clad laminates and multilayer circuit boards, presses for automotive components and resin moulding, and material-handling machinery remained solid.」

「The Group secured a diverse range of projects for press equipment for forming copper-clad laminates and multilayer circuit boards, press equipment for automotive parts and resin moulding, and transport equipment, and orders remained strong.」

「The Group secured a diverse range of projects for press equipment for forming copper-clad laminates and multilayer circuit boards, press equipment for automotive parts and resin moulding, and transport equipment, and orders remained strong. However, sales in the current consolidated fiscal year are concentrated from the third quarter of the consolidated fiscal year onward.」

「Building a solid foundation for sustainable growth through technological deepening in existing businesses and concentration of management resources on new businesses」

「In our core printed circuit board manufacturing equipment business, we are actively addressing customer needs and have received high ratings across a broad range of applications, including high-speed communications, automotive, sensors, servers and power modules.」

「The Group secured a diverse range of orders for press equipment for forming copper-clad laminates and multilayer circuit boards, automotive parts production lines, and press equipment for resin moulding.」

「The Group secured a diverse range of orders for press equipment for forming copper-clad laminates and multilayer circuit boards, automotive parts production lines, and press equipment for resin moulding. Whereas sales in the previous consolidated fiscal year were concentrated from the third quarter onward, sales from large projects in the current consolidated fiscal year were concentrated in the second quarter. Together with thorough cost control and lower selling, general and administrative expenses, this resulted in net sales of ¥2,970 million, up 105.3% year on year, and operating profit of ¥365 million, up 126.5%.」

「Under these circumstances, based on the medium-term management plan, "Challenge to Innovation and Creation: Toward a KITAGAWA that Continues to Shine through Originality," which entered its final year, the Group continued to pursue 3 key initiatives: "Proactively expanding our proprietary core technologies into new fields and markets," "Improving profitability, competitiveness and product/service quality through rigorous process management and cost reduction," and "Building a vibrant, strong organization full of creativity and autonomy that supports continued growth."」

「While securing a diverse range of orders for press equipment for forming copper-clad laminates and multilayer circuit boards, automotive parts production lines, and press equipment for resin moulding, the Group continued to thoroughly implement process management and cost reduction initiatives. As a result, net sales were ¥2,477 million, down 3.2% year on year, and operating profit was ¥325 million, up 28.5%.」

「The Group secured a diverse range of orders for press equipment for forming copper-clad laminates and multilayer circuit boards, automotive parts production lines, and press equipment for resin moulding. However, because sales from large projects were concentrated from the third quarter of the consolidated fiscal year onward, net sales were ¥1,447 million, down 8.7% year on year, while operating profit was ¥161 million, up 11.9%.」

「Under these circumstances, based on the medium-term management plan, "Challenge to Innovation and Creation: Toward a KITAGAWA that Continues to Shine through Originality," which entered its second year, the Group continued to pursue 3 key initiatives: "Proactively expanding our proprietary core technologies into new fields and markets," "Improving profitability, competitiveness and product/service quality through rigorous process management and cost reduction," and "Building a vibrant, strong organization full of creativity and autonomy that supports continued growth."」

「① Proactive expansion of proprietary core technologies into new fields and markets: penetrate untapped growth fields with our core technologies for controlling temperature, pressure, vacuum and motion, and develop new businesses that will become future earnings pillars.」

「From the current consolidated fiscal year, we have launched the new medium-term management plan, “Challenge for Innovation and Creation: Toward a KITAGAWA That Continues to Shine Through Originality.” While carrying forward the basic policies of the previous plan, we aim to commercialise new market opportunities by responding to changes in the business environment with greater agility and initiative, while establishing a stable, sustainable growth platform for the future. To this end, we are actively pursuing 3 priority initiatives: “Proactive expansion of proprietary core technologies into new fields and markets”; “Improving profitability, competitiveness and product/service quality through thorough process control and cost reduction”; and “Building a dynamic, strong organisation rich in creativity and initiative that supports sustained growth.”」

「Proactive expansion of proprietary core technologies into new fields and markets」

「We are pursuing 3 priority initiatives: “Proactive expansion of proprietary core technologies into new fields and markets”; “Improving profitability, competitiveness and product/service quality through thorough process control and cost reduction”; and “Building a dynamic, strong organisation rich in creativity and initiative that supports sustained growth.”」

「① Proactive expansion of proprietary core technologies into new fields and markets: penetrate untapped growth fields with our core technologies for controlling temperature, pressure, vacuum and motion, and develop new businesses that will become future earnings pillars.」

「Although the Group recorded diverse sales of press equipment for printed circuit boards and related applications, press equipment for forming automotive circuit boards and other products, transport lines for forming automotive parts, and resin moulding equipment, net sales were ¥2,509 million, down 1.4% year on year, and operating profit was ¥216 million, down 36.0%, because the cost of sales for some overseas projects exceeded plan.」

「Sales of large overseas projects for press equipment for printed circuit boards and related applications remained strong, and the Group recorded diverse sales of press equipment for forming automotive circuit boards and other products, transport lines for forming automotive parts, and resin moulding equipment. As a result, net sales were ¥2,101 million, up 95.0% year on year, and operating profit was ¥214 million, up 81.2%.」

「Although the Group received a diverse range of orders for press equipment for forming circuit boards for smartphones and automotive applications, equipment for manufacturing automotive parts, and resin moulding equipment, net sales and operating profit were ¥310 million, down 17.0% year on year, and an operating loss of ¥62 million, compared with profit of ¥16 million in the same quarter of the previous year, because sales from a large overseas project and other sales were postponed to the next quarter.」

「In addition to the Company's main product, press equipment for forming printed circuit boards for tablet and smartphone device-related companies, the Company strengthened sales efforts for automotive parts manufacturing, resin-molding equipment and other products, enabling it to secure a diverse range of domestic and overseas orders.」

「The Group’s core products are press equipment for forming printed circuit boards for companies related to tablet and smartphone devices. By also strengthening sales of equipment for manufacturing automotive parts and resin moulding equipment, the Group secured a diverse range of orders in Japan and overseas.」

「The Group’s core products are press equipment for forming printed circuit boards for companies related to tablet and smartphone devices. By also strengthening sales of equipment for manufacturing automotive parts and resin moulding equipment, the Group secured a diverse range of orders in Japan and overseas.」

「Although signs of slowing growth in some smartphone products have emerged in the market, the Group strengthened sales of press equipment for forming printed circuit boards for companies related to tablet and smartphone devices, as well as equipment for manufacturing automotive parts and resin moulding equipment. This led to the acquisition of a diverse range of orders, and orders remained solid.」

「By leveraging the advantages of our proprietary press technology, we aim to expand the KITAGAWA brand into new fields and markets by actively entering industries and regions beyond those of our existing businesses and expanding the market.」