Expansion and Return to Profitability of the PCB Inspection Equipment Business Driven by Chinese Capital Investment Demand

「検査治具等の販売は減少したものの、ＦＰＣ向け通電検査機及びセラミックス基板向け外観検査機の販売が増加したことから、売上高は増加いたしました。損益については、売上高増加に伴う影響により損失が縮小いたしました。」

「Although sales of inspection fixtures and other products declined, revenue increased because sales of visual inspection equipment for ceramic substrates and electrical continuity inspection equipment for FPCs rose. The loss narrowed due to the impact of higher sales. As a result, revenue was ¥193 million, up 38.8% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥33 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥70 million in the previous year.」

「第２四半期（中間期）連結業績予想数値については、テストシステム事業において外観検査機の販売が想定を下回ったこと、電子基板事業において一般試作及び委託量産案件の受注が想定どおり進捗しなかったこと、並びに産機システム事業において当第２四半期に見込んでいたＦＡ案件の検収時期が第３四半期以降にずれ込んだことから、売上高は当初予想を下回る見込みであります。」

「Although sales of visual inspection equipment for rigid boards and FPCs increased, revenue declined because sales of electrical continuity inspection equipment for FPCs and visual inspection equipment for ceramic substrates and package substrates decreased. The segment posted a loss due to the impact of lower sales. As a result, revenue was ¥450 million, down 35.4% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥33 million, compared with segment profit of ¥22 million in the previous year.」

「Although sales of inspection fixtures and other products increased, revenue declined because sales of visual inspection equipment for package substrates and ceramic substrates and electrical continuity inspection equipment for FPCs decreased. The segment posted a loss due to the impact of lower sales. As a result, revenue was ¥139 million, down 60.2% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥70 million, compared with segment profit of ¥31 million in the previous year.」

「Revenue increased as sales of visual inspection equipment for ceramic substrates and package substrates and electrical continuity inspection equipment for FPCs rose. The segment returned to profitability due to higher sales, a higher gross profit margin resulting from sales of higher-margin products, and lower selling, general and administrative expenses, including personnel and advertising expenses. As a result, revenue was ¥349 million, up 93.9% year on year, and segment profit was ¥31 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥80 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Revenue increased as sales of visual inspection equipment for package substrates and ceramic substrates and electrical continuity inspection equipment for FPCs rose. The segment returned to profitability due to higher sales and a higher gross profit margin resulting from sales of higher-margin products. As a result, revenue was ¥175 million, up 274.8% year on year, and segment profit was ¥18 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥55 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Although sales of visual inspection equipment declined as production activity for FPCs for smartphones and other applications stagnated at domestic and overseas electronic circuit-board manufacturers, revenue increased because sales of inspection equipment for rigid boards and package substrates and modification projects rose. The loss narrowed due to the impact of higher sales and a higher gross profit margin resulting from sales of higher-margin products. As a result, revenue was ¥420 million, up 6.4% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥94 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥141 million in the previous year.」

「Although sales of inspection equipment for rigid boards and package substrates increased, revenue declined because production activity for FPCs for smartphones and other applications stagnated at domestic and overseas electronic circuit-board manufacturers, reducing sales of visual inspection equipment. The loss widened due to the impact of lower sales. As a result, revenue was ¥275 million, down 9.1% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥114 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥102 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Although sales of visual inspection equipment increased due to orders for package-substrate inspection equipment, sales of electrical continuity inspection equipment declined because of a reactionary decline following the large overseas project for semi-automatic equipment for FPCs in the same quarter of the previous year and increased caution toward capital investment among domestic and overseas electronic circuit-board manufacturers. Revenue declined as a result. The loss widened due to the impact of lower sales. As a result, revenue was ¥180 million, down 20.8% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥80 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥58 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Although modification projects to improve the functionality of electrical continuity inspection equipment increased, revenue declined because domestic and overseas electronic circuit-board manufacturers restrained capital investment and acceptance of visual inspection equipment expected in the first quarter was postponed to the second quarter or later. The loss widened due to the impact of lower sales. As a result, revenue was ¥46 million, down 38.8% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥55 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥42 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Although a large overseas order for electrical continuity inspection equipment was delivered, production activity at domestic and overseas electronic circuit-board manufacturers, particularly in China, stagnated. Sales of electrical continuity inspection equipment and visual inspection equipment declined, resulting in lower revenue. The loss widened due to the impact of lower sales. As a result, revenue was ¥302 million, down 44.0% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥102 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥12 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Although a large overseas order for electrical continuity inspection equipment was delivered, production activity at domestic and overseas electronic circuit-board manufacturers, particularly in China, stagnated. Sales of electrical continuity inspection equipment and visual inspection equipment declined, resulting in lower revenue. The segment posted a loss due to the impact of lower sales. As a result, revenue was ¥227 million, down 45.8% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥58 million, compared with segment profit of ¥16 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Domestic and overseas circuit-board manufacturers restrained capital investment as production activity stagnated, causing orders for visual inspection equipment and electrical continuity inspection equipment to remain sluggish and revenue to decline. The segment posted a loss due to the impact of lower sales. As a result, revenue was ¥76 million, down 69.3% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥42 million, compared with segment profit of ¥26 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Although sales of visual inspection equipment and consumable inspection fixtures declined, sales increased due to strong capital investment, particularly in China, resulting from orders for electrical continuity inspection equipment, modifications to previously sold equipment and maintenance. As a result, revenue was ¥548 million, up 20.4% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥36 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥97 million in the previous year.」

「Although sales of visual inspection equipment and consumable inspection fixtures declined, sales increased due to the recovery in capital investment demand, particularly in China, resulting from orders for electrical continuity inspection equipment, modifications to previously sold equipment and maintenance. The loss narrowed due to the impact of higher sales. As a result, revenue was ¥425 million, up 24.9% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥0 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥56 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Although inspection equipment sales declined in the domestic market, sales increased in China, where capital investment was recovering, due to orders for electrical continuity inspection equipment, modifications to previously sold equipment and maintenance. Revenue increased as a result. The segment returned to profitability as the company worked to expand sales of high-value-added products, including highly profitable products. As a result, revenue was ¥252 million, up 9.7% year on year, and segment profit was ¥17 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥16 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Although sales of visual inspection equipment increased in the domestic market, mainly to manufacturers of semiconductor package substrates, overseas sales declined due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenue also declined because the previous fiscal year included sales from large projects such as illuminated inspection equipment. As a result, revenue was ¥541 million, down 40.1% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥148 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥73 million in the previous year.」

「Although sales of visual inspection equipment for the domestic market increased, overseas sales declined as economic activity remained constrained by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenue also declined because the same quarter of the previous year included sales from large projects such as illuminated inspection equipment. The loss widened due to the impact of lower sales. As a result, revenue was ¥455 million, down 37.7% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥97 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥28 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Although sales of visual inspection equipment for the domestic market increased, overseas sales declined as economic activity was constrained by the COVID-19 pandemic, including customer factory shutdowns, travel restrictions and logistics disruptions. Revenue also declined because the same quarter of the previous year included sales from large projects such as illuminated inspection equipment. The loss widened due to the impact of lower sales. As a result, revenue was ¥340 million, down 36.0% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥56 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥13 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Although sales of electrical continuity inspection equipment and visual inspection equipment increased in the domestic market, revenue declined because the same quarter of the previous year included sales from large projects such as illuminated inspection equipment. The loss widened due to the impact of lower sales and higher research and development expenses for developing high-value-added products. As a result, revenue was ¥230 million, down 11.0% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥16 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥1 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Sales of visual inspection equipment and electrical continuity inspection equipment declined as the prolonged US-China trade tensions and slowing overseas economies continued to encourage caution toward capital investment. The segment posted a loss due to the impact of lower sales. As a result, revenue was ¥904 million, down 33.1% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥73 million, compared with segment profit of ¥83 million in the previous year.」

「Caution toward capital investment continued because of the decline in smartphone demand in global markets and stagnant external demand amid US-China trade tensions. Sales of electrical continuity inspection equipment and visual inspection equipment declined, resulting in lower revenue. The segment posted a loss due to the impact of lower sales of the core products mentioned above. As a result, revenue was ¥731 million, down 36.5% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥28 million, compared with segment profit of ¥123 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Caution toward capital investment continued because of the decline in smartphone demand in China and other global markets, resulting in lower sales of electrical continuity inspection equipment and visual inspection equipment and a decline in revenue. The segment posted a loss due to the impact of lower sales of the core products mentioned above.」

「Sales of electrical continuity inspection equipment declined as the slowdown in smartphone demand in China and other global markets led to greater caution toward capital investment. However, revenue increased because sales of visual inspection equipment and other inspection equipment rose. The loss narrowed due to the impact of higher sales. As a result, revenue was ¥259 million, up 65.6% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥1 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥47 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Sales generally remained strong in Asian markets, including sales of visual inspection equipment and electrical continuity inspection equipment for FPCs, resulting in higher revenue. The impact of higher sales resulted in a return to profitability. As a result, revenue was ¥1,277 million, up 75.8% year on year, and segment profit was ¥119 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥63 million in the previous year.」

「In markets centered on Asia, where the company is focusing on promoting inspection equipment sales, sales increased for visual inspection equipment and electrical continuity inspection equipment for FPCs. The impact of higher sales resulted in a return to profitability. As a result, revenue was ¥1,091 million, up 111.4% year on year, and segment profit was ¥149 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥47 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「As the company continued to focus on promoting inspection equipment sales in markets centered on Asia, sales increased for electrical continuity inspection equipment and visual inspection equipment for FPCs. The impact of higher sales resulted in a return to profitability. As a result, revenue was ¥584 million, up 235.3% year on year, and segment profit was ¥27 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥67 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Sales increased as the company focused on promoting inspection equipment sales in markets centered on Asia, leading to higher sales of electrical continuity inspection equipment and visual inspection equipment for FPCs. The loss narrowed due to the impact of higher sales. As a result, revenue was ¥136 million, up 155.7% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥39 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥44 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Although sales of consumable inspection fixtures and other products increased, revenue declined because the company struggled to secure orders for the various types of inspection equipment expected in the Chinese market. The segment posted a loss due to the impact of lower sales. As a result, revenue was ¥516 million, down 28.2% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥47 million, compared with segment profit of ¥58 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Although the order backlog for electrical continuity inspection equipment increased as the company advanced its overseas sales strategy, revenue declined because it struggled to secure orders for visual inspection equipment and because of a reactionary decline following the substantial order for electrical continuity inspection equipment for FPCs in the same quarter of the previous year. The segment posted a loss due to the impact of lower sales. As a result, revenue was ¥174 million, down 64.2% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥67 million, compared with segment profit of ¥10 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Although sales of consumable inspection fixtures increased, revenue declined because the company struggled to secure orders for electrical continuity inspection equipment and visual inspection equipment for overseas markets, while the same quarter of the previous year included a substantial order for electrical continuity inspection equipment for FPCs. The segment posted a loss due to lower sales and a higher labor-cost-to-sales ratio resulting from the strengthened product development structure. As a result, revenue was ¥53 million, down 75.5% year on year, and the segment loss was ¥44 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥1 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「In Asian markets, particularly China, sales increased as sales of electrical continuity inspection equipment and other products for FPCs rose. Despite higher sales commissions reducing profit, the impact of higher sales resulted in higher profit. As a result, revenue was ¥955 million, up 70.9% year on year, and segment profit was ¥91 million, up 641.2%.」

「Against a backdrop of capital investment demand in China and other Asian markets, sales increased as sales of electrical continuity inspection equipment and visual inspection equipment for FPCs rose. Despite higher sales commissions reducing profit, the impact of higher sales resulted in a return to profitability. As a result, revenue was ¥719 million, up 183.7% year on year, and segment profit was ¥58 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥64 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」

「Against a backdrop of increased capital investment demand in the Chinese market, sales increased as sales of electrical continuity inspection equipment and visual inspection equipment for FPCs rose. Despite factors that reduced profit, including a higher cost-of-sales ratio associated with increased orders for lower-margin inspection equipment and higher sales commissions, the impact of higher sales resulted in a return to profitability. As a result, revenue was ¥486 million, up 233.9% year on year, and segment profit was ¥10 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥42 million in the same quarter of the previous year.」