Connect with us

Technology

Ultra Clean Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results

Published

on

HAYWARD, Calif., Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: UCTT), today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 27, 2024.

“UCT’s fourth quarter capped off a strong year with total revenue growing 21 percent over the prior year, significantly outperforming the overall WFE market,” said Jim Scholhamer, CEO. “Our unique ability to support the key drivers of semiconductor innovation, including those required by advancements in artificial intelligence, position us well to benefit over the long-term.”

“Our cash flow generation for the year enabled us to make strategic investments to drive long-term growth,” said Sheri Savage, CFO. “We now have the global manufacturing capacity to support a $4 billion revenue run rate.”

Fourth Quarter 2024 GAAP Financial Results
Total revenue was $563.3 million. Products contributed $503.5 million and Services added $59.8 million. Total gross margin was 16.3%, operating margin was 4.6%, and net income was $16.3 million or $0.36 per diluted share. This compares to total revenue of $540.4 million, gross margin of 17.3%, operating margin of 4.7%, and net loss of $(2.3) million or $(0.05) per diluted share, in the prior quarter.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Non-GAAP Financial Results
On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin was 16.8%, operating margin was 7.0%, and net income was $22.9 million or $0.51 per diluted share. This compares to gross margin of 17.8%, operating margin of 7.3%, and net income of $15.9 million or $0.35 per diluted share in the prior quarter.

Full Year 2024 GAAP Financial Results
Total revenue was $2,097.6 million. Products contributed $1,853.7 million and Services added $243.9 million. Total gross margin was 17.0% operating margin was 4.3%, and net income was $23.7 million  or $0.52 per diluted share. This compares to total revenue of $1,734.5 million, gross margin of 16.0%, operating margin of 2.0%, and net loss of $(31.1) million or $(0.70) per diluted share in the prior year.

Full Year 2024 Non-GAAP Financial Results
On a non-GAAP basis, the company reported gross margin of 17.5%, operating margin of 6.9%, and net income of $65.2 million or $1.44 per diluted share. This compares to gross margin of 16.6%, operating margin of 4.9%, and net income of $25.2 million or $0.56 per diluted share in the prior year.

First Quarter 2025 Outlook
The Company expects revenue in the range of $505 million to $555 million. The Company expects GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share to be between $(0.11) and $0.09 and non-GAAP diluted net income per share to be between $0.22 and $0.42.

Conference Call
The call will take place at 1:45 p.m. PT and can be accessed by dialing 1-800-836-8184 or 1-646-357-8785. No passcode is required. A replay of the call will be available by dialing 1-888-660-6345 or 1-646-517-4150 and entering the confirmation code 80801#. The Webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at http://uct.com/investors/events/.

About Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.
Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. is a leading developer and supplier of critical subsystems, components, parts, and ultra-high purity cleaning and analytical services, primarily for the semiconductor industry. Under its Products division, UCT offers its customers an integrated outsourced solution for major subassemblies, improved design-to-delivery cycle times, design for manufacturability, prototyping, and high-precision manufacturing. Under its Services Division, UCT offers its customers tool chamber parts cleaning and coating, as well as micro-contamination analytical services. Ultra Clean is headquartered in Hayward, California. Additional information is available at www.uct.com

Use of Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to providing results that are determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), management uses non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating margin and non-GAAP net income to evaluate the Company’s operating and financial results. We believe the presentation of non-GAAP results is useful to investors for analyzing our core business and business trends and comparing performance to prior periods, along with enhancing investors’ ability to view the Company’s results from management’s perspective. The presentation of this additional information should not be considered a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Tables presenting reconciliations from GAAP results to non-GAAP results are included at the end of this press release.

The Company defines non-GAAP net income as net income (loss) before amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation, restructuring charges, acquisition activity costs, fair value adjustments, debt refinancing costs, legal-related costs and the tax effects of the foregoing adjustments.

A reconciliation of our guidance for non-GAAP net income per diluted share for the subsequent quarter is not available due to fluctuations in the geographic mix of our earnings from quarter to quarter, which impacts our tax rate and cannot be reasonably predicted or determined. As a result, such reconciliation is not available without unreasonable efforts and we are unable to determine the probable significance of the unavailable information.

Safe Harbor Statement
The foregoing information contains, or may be deemed to contain, “forward-looking statements” (as defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. We use words such as “anticipates,” “projection,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “believes,” “plan,” “expect,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “estimates,” “see,” “predicts,” “should” and similar expressions to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements included in this press release include our expectations about the semiconductor capital equipment market and outlook. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results predicted or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors also include, among others, those identified in “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise unless required by law.

Contact:
Rhonda Bennetto
SVP Investor Relations
rbennetto@uct.com

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited; in millions, except per share data)

Three Months Ended

Twelve months ended

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

(In millions, except per share amounts)

Revenues:

$                  503.5

$                  389.7

$               1,853.7

$               1,501.6

Product

59.8

55.1

243.9

232.9

Services

563.3

444.8

2,097.6

1,734.5

Total revenues

Cost of revenues:

Product

428.5

335.0

1,569.7

1,290.5

Services

43.0

38.7

171.6

166.7

Total cost revenues

471.5

373.7

1,741.3

1,457.2

Gross margin

91.8

71.1

356.3

277.3

Operating expenses:

Research and development

7.1

6.6

28.3

28.3

Sales and marketing

14.4

13.2

57.3

51.8

General and administrative

44.4

46.7

179.5

162.0

Total operating expenses

65.9

66.5

265.1

242.1

Income from operations

25.9

4.6

91.2

35.2

Interest income

0.9

1.6

4.8

4.1

Interest expense

(10.7)

(12.8)

(46.5)

(48.8)

Other income (expense), net

8.4

(1.1)

17.7

(1.8)

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

24.5

(7.7)

67.2

(11.3)

Provision for income tax

4.5

(6.2)

32.7

10.9

Net income (loss)

20.0

(1.5)

34.5

(22.2)

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

3.7

2.3

10.8

8.9

Net income (loss) attributable to UCT

$                    16.3

$                     (3.8)

$                    23.7

$                  (31.1)

Net income (loss) per share attributable to UCT common stockholders:

Basic

$                    0.36

$                  (0.08)

$                    0.53

$                  (0.70)

Diluted

$                    0.36

$                  (0.08)

$                    0.52

$                  (0.70)

Shares used in computing net income (loss) per share:

Basic

45.1

44.7

44.9

44.7

Diluted

45.4

44.7

45.3

44.7

 

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited; in millions)

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$                  313.9

$                  307.0

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses

241.1

180.8

Inventories

381.0

374.5

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

34.1

30.9

Total current assets

970.1

893.2

Property, plant and equipment, net

325.9

328.3

Goodwill

265.3

265.2

Intangible assets, net

184.9

215.3

Deferred tax assets, net

3.1

3.1

Operating lease right-of-use assets

161.0

151.7

Other non-current assets

9.6

10.9

Total assets

$               1,919.9

$               1,867.7

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Bank borrowings

$                    16.0

$                    17.6

Accounts payable

212.5

192.9

Accrued compensation and related benefits

50.1

47.7

Operating lease liabilities

18.6

18.1

Other current liabilities

38.4

33.7

Total current liabilities

335.6

310.0

Bank borrowings, net of current portion

476.5

461.2

Deferred tax liabilities

16.1

19.0

Operating lease liabilities

149.2

143.0

Other liabilities

6.7

37.3

Total liabilities

984.1

970.5

Equity:

UCT stockholders’ equity:

Common stock

0.1

0.1

Additional paid-in capital

558.4

541.5

Common shares held in treasury

(45.0)

(45.0)

Retained earnings

370.4

346.7

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(10.3)

(4.4)

Total UCT stockholders’ equity

873.6

838.9

Noncontrolling interests

62.2

58.3

Total equity

935.8

897.2

Total liabilities and equity

$               1,919.9

$               1,867.7

 

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited; in millions)

Twelve months ended

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income (loss)

$                    34.5

$                  (22.2)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities (excluding assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests at acquisition):

Depreciation and amortization

45.7

37.6

Amortization of intangible assets

30.4

24.1

Stock-based compensation

17.4

12.1

Amortization of debt issuance costs

3.0

3.9

Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment

1.2

(0.9)

Change in the fair value of financial instruments

(29.2)

1.7

Deferred income taxes

(3.0)

(12.4)

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:

Accounts receivable

(60.3)

78.5

Inventories

(6.5)

80.8

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(3.2)

12.5

Other non-current assets

1.3

Accounts payable

26.4

(61.5)

Accrued compensation and related benefits

2.4

(5.6)

Income taxes payable

1.0

(5.2)

Operating lease assets and liabilities

2.6

0.4

Other liabilities

1.3

(7.9)

Net cash provided by operating activities

65.0

135.9

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(63.5)

(75.8)

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

(46.1)

Proceeds from sale of equipment

2.2

Net cash used in investing activities

(63.5)

(119.7)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from bank borrowings

67.7

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

2.0

0.8

Extinguishment of bank borrowings

(44.2)

Principal payments on bank borrowings

(10.2)

(38.6)

Payment of debt issuance costs

(2.5)

(0.3)

Employees’ taxes paid upon vesting of restricted stock units

(2.5)

(2.2)

Payments of dividends to a joint venture shareholder

(0.5)

(0.2)

Repurchase of shares

(29.4)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

9.8

(69.9)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

(4.4)

1.9

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

6.9

(51.8)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

307.0

358.8

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$                  313.9

$                  307.0

 

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

(Unaudited; dollars in millions)

GAAP

Non-GAAP

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

December 27, 2024

December 27, 2024

Products

Services

Consolidated

Products

Services

Consolidated

Revenues

$    503.5

$      59.8

$         563.3

$  503.5

$  59.8

$         563.3

Gross profit

$      75.0

$      16.8

$           91.8

$    76.7

$  17.8

$           94.5

Gross margin

14.9 %

28.1 %

16.3 %

15.2 %

29.8 %

16.8 %

Income from operations

$      23.5

$        2.4

$           25.9

$    33.4

$    5.8

$           39.2

Operating margin

4.7 %

4.0 %

4.6 %

6.6 %

9.7 %

7.0 %

Three Months Ended

December 27, 2024

Products

Services

Consolidated

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross profit to Non-GAAP Gross profit (in millions)

Reported gross profit on a GAAP basis

$    75.0

$  16.8

$           91.8

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

1.3

1.0

2.3

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.4

0.4

Non-GAAP gross profit

$    76.7

$  17.8

$           94.5

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross margin to Non-GAAP Gross margin

Reported gross margin on a GAAP basis

14.9 %

28.1 %

16.3 %

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

0.2 %

1.7 %

0.4 %

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.1 %

— %

0.1 %

Non-GAAP gross margin

15.2 %

29.8 %

16.8 %

Reconciliation of GAAP Income from operations to Non-GAAP Income from operations (in millions)

Reported income from operations on a GAAP basis

$    23.5

$    2.4

$           25.9

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

4.6

2.9

7.5

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

4.2

0.5

4.7

Legal-related costs (3)

1.1

1.1

Non-GAAP income from operations

$    33.4

$    5.8

$           39.2

Reconciliation of GAAP Operating margin to Non-GAAP Operating margin

Reported operating margin on a GAAP basis

4.7 %

4.0 %

4.6 %

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

0.9 %

4.8 %

1.3 %

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.8 %

0.9 %

0.9 %

Legal-related costs (3)

0.2 %

— %

0.2 %

Non-GAAP operating margin

6.6 %

9.7 %

7.0 %

1    Amortization of intangible assets related to the Company’s business acquisitions

2    Represents compensation expense for stock granted to employees and directors

3    Represents estimated costs related to certain legal proceedings

 

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED RESULTS

Three Months Ended

Twelve months ended

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

September 27,
2024

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Non-GAAP Net Income (in millions)

Reported net income (loss) attributable to UCT on a GAAP basis

16.3

$           (3.8)

$           (2.3)

23.7

$         (31.1)

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

7.5

7.2

7.6

30.4

24.1

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

4.7

3.6

4.5

17.8

12.5

Restructuring charges (3)

3.4

0.3

2.3

9.2

Acquisition related costs (4)

3.4

0.6

1.0

4.3

Fair value related adjustments (5)

(7.1)

2.5

0.8

(29.1)

4.0

Debt refinancing costs expensed (6)

0.4

4.0

Legal-related costs (7)

1.1

0.5

1.3

2.7

(0.4)

Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (8)

(1.0)

(3.4)

(4.1)

(6.1)

(10.2)

Income tax effect of valuation allowance (9)

1.0

(4.9)

7.2

18.5

12.8

Non-GAAP net income attributable to UCT

$           22.9

$             8.5

$           15.9

$           65.2

$           25.2

Reconciliation of GAAP Income from operations to Non-GAAP Income from operations (in millions)

Reported income from operations on a GAAP basis

$           25.9

$             4.6

$           25.2

$           91.2

$           35.2

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

7.5

7.2

7.6

30.4

24.1

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

4.7

3.6

4.5

17.8

12.5

Restructuring charges (3)

3.4

0.3

2.3

9.2

Acquisition related costs (4)

3.4

0.6

1.0

4.3

Fair value related adjustments (5)

0.4

0.4

Legal-related costs (7)

1.1

0.5

1.3

2.7

(0.4)

Non-GAAP income from operations

$           39.2

$           23.1

$           39.5

$         145.4

$           85.3

Reconciliation of GAAP Operating margin to Non-GAAP Operating margin

Reported operating margin on a GAAP basis

4.6 %

1.0 %

4.7 %

4.3 %

2.0 %

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

1.3 %

1.6 %

1.4 %

1.4 %

1.4 %

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.9 %

0.8 %

0.8 %

0.9 %

0.7 %

Restructuring charges (3)

— %

0.8 %

0.1 %

0.1 %

0.5 %

Acquisition related costs (4)

— %

0.1 %

0.1 %

0.1 %

0.3 %

Fair value related adjustments (5)

— %

0.1 %

— %

— %

0.0 %

Legal-related costs (7)

0.2 %

0.8 %

0.2 %

0.1 %

0.0 %

Non-GAAP operating margin

7.0 %

5.2 %

7.3 %

6.9 %

4.9 %

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross profit to Non-GAAP Gross profit (in millions)

Reported gross profit on a GAAP basis

$           91.8

$           71.1

$           93.4

$         356.3

$         277.3

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

2.3

2.0

2.3

9.1

6.5

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.4

0.5

0.3

1.9

1.5

Restructuring charges (3)

0.4

0.3

1.6

Fair value related adjustments (5)

0.4

0.4

Non-GAAP gross profit

$           94.5

$           74.4

$           96.0

$         367.6

$         287.3

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross margin to Non-GAAP Gross margin

Reported gross margin on a GAAP basis

16.3 %

16.0 %

17.3 %

17.0 %

16.0 %

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

0.4 %

0.4 %

0.4 %

0.4 %

0.4 %

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.1 %

0.1 %

0.1 %

0.1 %

0.1 %

Restructuring charges (3)

— %

0.1 %

— %

0.0 %

0.1 %

Fair value related adjustments (5)

— %

0.1 %

— %

— %

0.0 %

Non-GAAP gross margin

16.8 %

16.7 %

17.8 %

17.5 %

16.6 %

Reconciliation of GAAP Other income (expense), net to Non-GAAP Other income (expense), net (in millions)

Reported Other income (expense), net on a GAAP basis

$             8.4

$           (1.1)

$           (4.1)

$           17.7

$           (1.8)

Fair value related adjustments (5)

(7.1)

2.1

0.8

(29.1)

4.9

Debt refinancing costs expensed (6)

0.4

4.0

Non-GAAP Other income (expense), net

$             1.7

$             1.0

$           (3.3)

$           (7.4)

$             3.1

Reconciliation of GAAP Income (Loss) Per Diluted Share to Non-GAAP Earnings Per Diluted Share

Reported net income (loss) on a GAAP basis

$           0.36

$         (0.08)

$         (0.05)

$           0.52

$         (0.70)

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

0.17

0.16

0.17

0.67

0.54

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.10

0.08

0.10

0.39

0.28

Restructuring charges (3)

0.08

0.00

0.05

0.20

Acquisition related costs (4)

0.08

0.01

0.02

0.10

Fair value related adjustments (5)

(0.16)

0.05

0.02

(0.64)

0.09

Debt refinancing costs expensed (6)

0.01

0.09

Legal-related costs (7)

0.03

0.01

0.03

0.06

(0.01)

Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (8)

(0.02)

(0.08)

(0.09)

(0.13)

(0.23)

Income tax effect of valuation allowance (9)

0.02

(0.11)

0.16

0.41

0.29

Non-GAAP net earnings

$           0.51

$           0.19

$           0.35

$           1.44

$           0.56

Weighted average number of diluted shares (in millions) on a non-GAAP basis

45.4

44.9

45.5

45.3

45.1

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE

Three Months Ended

Twelve months ended

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

September 27,
2024

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

Provision for income taxes on a GAAP basis

$             4.5

$           (6.2)

$             9.9

$           32.7

$           10.9

Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (8)

1.0

3.4

4.1

6.1

10.2

Income tax effect of valuation allowance (9)

(1.0)

4.9

(7.2)

(18.5)

(12.8)

Non-GAAP provision for income taxes

$             4.5

$             2.1

$             6.8

$           20.3

$             8.3

Income before income taxes on a GAAP basis

$           24.5

$           (7.7)

$           10.2

$           67.2

$         (11.3)

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

7.5

7.2

7.6

30.4

24.1

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

4.7

3.6

4.5

17.8

12.5

Restructuring charges (3)

3.4

0.3

2.3

9.2

Acquisition related costs (4)

3.4

0.6

1.0

4.3

Fair value related adjustments (5)

(7.1)

2.5

0.8

(29.1)

5.4

Debt refinancing costs expensed (6)

0.4

4.0

Legal-related costs (7)

1.1

0.5

1.3

2.7

(0.4)

Non-GAAP income before income taxes

$           31.1

$           12.9

$           25.3

$           96.3

$           43.8

Effective income tax rate on a GAAP basis

18.4 %

80.5 %

97.1 %

48.7 %

(96.5) %

Non-GAAP effective income tax rate

14.5 %

16.4 %

27.1 %

21.1 %

18.9 %

1

Amortization of intangible assets related to the Company’s business acquisitions

2

Represents compensation expense for stock granted to employees and directors

3

Represents severance, retention and costs related to facility closures

4

Represents acquisition activity costs

5

Fair value adjustments related to contingent consideration

6

Represents the third party transaction costs related to the amended credit agreement and the previously capitalized costs of extinguished debt

7

Represents estimated costs related to certain legal proceedings

8

Tax effect of items (1) through (7) above based on the non-GAAP tax rate

9

The Company’s GAAP tax expense is generally higher than the Company’s non-GAAP tax expense, primarily due to losses in the U.S. with full federal and state valuation allowances. The Company’s non-GAAP tax rate and resulting non-GAAP tax expense considers the tax implications as if there was no federal or state valuation allowance position in effect

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ultra-clean-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2024-financial-results-302383732.html

SOURCE Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

iMarketKorea Signs Two MOUs with Vietnam’s Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee and BIDV

Published

on

By

Participates in Korea-Vietnam Economic Delegation

Accelerates development of an industrial park in Phu Tho Province near Hanoi, while attracting advanced manufacturing companies and building a supply chain ecosystemPlans parallel development of an Inland Container Depot (ICD) to strengthen logistics competitivenessExpands discussions with Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) on financial support measures and new business opportunities

HANOI, Vietnam and SEOUL, South Korea, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — iMarketKorea, a leading industrial materials distribution company led by CEO Kim Hak-jae, announced that it has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee and Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam during the MOU signing session at the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum, hosted by Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The company participated in the official Korea-Vietnam economic delegation.

As Vietnam’s investment environment continues to advance, cooperation in production infrastructure such as industrial parks has become increasingly important. Based on prior discussions with Phu Tho Province, iMarketKorea formalized this partnership through the latest agreements.

Located near Noi Bai International Airport, Phu Tho Province is emerging as a strategic logistics hub and an attractive production base for global companies. The province recorded 10.52% gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth in 2025, ranking fourth among Vietnam’s provinces.

Through the agreement, iMarketKorea plans to develop a national industrial park in Phu Tho Province and actively attract global manufacturing companies. The company also aims to build a supply chain-driven industrial ecosystem by strengthening collaboration among related businesses centered around the industrial complex.

To enhance logistics competitiveness, iMarketKorea will also pursue the development of an Inland Container Depot (ICD) with bonded warehousing functions. An ICD is an inland logistics hub enabling customs clearance and cargo handling. When integrated with the industrial park, it is expected to improve import-export efficiency and strengthen the region’s attractiveness to manufacturers.

Kim Hak-jae, CEO of iMarketKorea, said, “This agreement establishes the foundation for integrated production and logistics infrastructure. Through cooperation with the Phu Tho provincial government and BIDV, we plan to establish a one-stop support system covering administration, finance, legal matters, and taxation. We will also create an environment where high-tech parts and materials companies can effectively utilize local incentives and gradually expand future cooperation.”

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/imarketkorea-signs-two-mous-with-vietnams-phu-tho-provincial-peoples-committee-and-bidv-302753801.html

SOURCE iMarketKorea

Continue Reading

Technology

Global Customers Are Taking a Closer Look at Focused Photonics Inc.

Published

on

By

HANGZHOU, China, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For scientific instrument companies competing globally, differentiation increasingly depends on more than product specifications alone. Customers are looking beyond performance claims to assess whether a company can consistently translate technology into manufacturable products, proven applications, reliable delivery and long-term service support.

That shift was evident during Focused Photonics Inc.’s (FPI) Global Customer Experience Day 2026 in Hangzhou, where customers and partners from dozens of countries visited the company’s Qingshanhu Innovation Base, headquarters and live application sites. For many attendees, the event offered a closer look at how a China-headquartered scientific instrument company is building capabilities across R&D, manufacturing, systems integration and lifecycle support.

At Qingshanhu Innovation Base, visitors saw key stages of FPI’s operations firsthand, including engineering, precision manufacturing, system integration, testing and service readiness. For many international customers, these visits are less about viewing a production line and more about assessing execution: whether a supplier has the engineering discipline, manufacturing depth and support infrastructure required to deliver consistently in real operating environments.

This is becoming increasingly important across the industry. As customer expectations evolve, competition is moving beyond stand-alone instrument performance toward integrated solutions, automation, data integrity, compliance and lifecycle value. In industrial and environmental applications in particular, uptime, stability and workflow fit often matter as much as analytical capability.

At its global customer conference, FPI outlined how it is responding to that transition, highlighting continued investment across environmental monitoring, industrial process analysis, laboratory analysis and life science applications. The company is also expanding the role of digitalization, automation and AI to improve application readiness and solution delivery.

Application-focused exchanges during the event reinforced the same point. In discussions on environmental, industrial and laboratory scenarios, customers focused not only on performance metrics, but also on regulatory fit, workflow integration, long-term operation under complex conditions, and the ability of solutions to function reliably once deployed. These are increasingly central criteria in global purchasing decisions.

The clearest proof came from real-world settings. At the Hangzhou Ecological Environment Monitoring Center, visitors saw FPI’s automated water quality laboratory in operation, where sample handling, workflow continuity and data generation are integrated into day-to-day use. For customers, this offered a more concrete view of how a solution performs not just in demonstration, but in routine operation.

Taken together, the event underscored a broader industry reality: global competition in scientific instruments is increasingly defined not only by what a product can do, but by whether a company can manufacture it at scale, deploy it effectively, support it locally and sustain performance over time. That broader operational capability is becoming a decisive part of how international customers evaluate suppliers.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-customers-are-taking-a-closer-look-at-focused-photonics-inc-302753822.html

SOURCE Focused Photonics Inc.

Continue Reading

Technology

Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd Granted Overseas Intermediary Futures Broker Status by Shanghai Futures Exchange and Guangzhou Futures Exchange

Published

on

By

SINGAPORE, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd (“SFSPL”), a member of Straits Financial Group, is pleased to announce that it has been granted overseas intermediary (OI) futures broker status by the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) and the Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GFEX).

This recognition marks an important milestone in expanding international access to China’s futures markets and further strengthens SFSPL’s ability to connect global investors with onshore opportunities.

As an overseas intermediary futures broker, SFSPL will be able to facilitate client access to selected products listed on SHFE and GFEX. The overseas intermediary model significantly lowers barriers to entry for international participants by removing the need for complex onshore structures and enabling more efficient cross-border access, while operating within China’s regulated market environment.

“As China’s futures market continues to open up, this recognition represents a meaningful milestone for both SFSPL and our clients,” said Roger Quek, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd. “We are pleased to support international investors with more seamless access to China’s onshore derivatives market, while maintaining a strong focus on risk management, compliance, and execution efficiency.”

As China’s derivatives market continue to evolve, SFSPL is strongly positioned to support clients looking to deepen their involvement in this high-potential market.

SFSPL remains committed to delivering robust trading capabilities, seamless market access, and trusted expertise to help clients navigate global investment opportunities.

About Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd

At Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd, we distinguish ourselves by promoting key and innovative contracts to support the financial and commodity derivative markets as well as providing products and services to fulfill the needs of every trader.

With a strong presence in Asia and a deep understanding of the global markets, we provide value to our clients by enabling global access with a local perspective. Established in 2010, Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd is part of Straits Financial Group which is headquartered in Singapore.

Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd provides a fully-integrated service for our clients to access the financial and commodity derivative markets and we strive to build lasting relationships with our clients.

For more information, please visit our website at https://www.straitsfinancial.com.

This document is issued for information purposes only. This document is not intended and should not under any circumstances to be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell, nor financial advice or recommendation in relation to any capital market product. All the information contained herein is based on publicly available information and has been obtained from sources that Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd believes to be reliable and correct at the time of publishing this document.

Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd will not be liable for any loss or damage of any kind (whether direct, indirect or consequential losses or other economic loss of any kind) suffered due to any omission, error, inaccuracy, incompleteness, or otherwise, any reliance on such information. Past performance or historical record of futures contracts, derivatives contracts, and commodities is not indicative of the future performance. The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

If after reading the foregoing content you have any doubts in relation thereto, please consult your own independent legal, financial and/or professional adviser.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/straits-financial-services-pte-ltd-granted-overseas-intermediary-futures-broker-status-by-shanghai-futures-exchange-and-guangzhou-futures-exchange-302752994.html

SOURCE Straits Financial

Continue Reading

Trending