-
centrotherm international AG looks back on a very satisfactory 2023 financial year. As the Group’s earning power was significantly strengthened by the substantially increased share of business with the semiconductor industry, the Management Board sees this as confirmation that it is on the path to sustainably profitable business development.
centrotherm succeeded in significantly increasing consolidated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) from EUR 16.2 million to EUR 19.0 million, thereby meeting the forecast of positive EBITDA in the low double-digit million euro range. This also applies on the basis of the adjusted EBITDA of EUR 15.9 million. In the 2023 financial year, there was a revaluation of centrotherm’s reimbursement claim from the former major project in Algeria (EUR 3.1 million). Consolidated net income increased significantly from EUR 13.0 million to EUR 18.7 million, which equates to improved earnings per share of EUR 0.88 (2022: EUR 0.62).
The Group’s order intake also developed very positively in the 2023 financial year. At EUR 268.8 million, the forecast of EUR 250 to 350 million was met. 82.9% (2022: 65.5%) of orders came from the semiconductor industry and 16.7% (33.9%) from the photovoltaic industry. The re-entry into the US PV market is particularly positive. As at December 31, 2023, the Group order backlog amounted to EUR 539.1 million, which represents a significant increase of 27.3% compared to the previous year’s figure of EUR 423.6 million.
Group revenue amounted to EUR 151.2 million in the 2023 financial year (2022: EUR 180.5 million). International business remained of key importance, accounting for 87.4% of revenue (2022: 91.8%), with a continued strong focus on Asia, where 70.1% (2022: 84.0%) of Group re-venue was generated. Revenue from the sale of production systems totaled EUR 130.9 million (2022: EUR 164.1 million), of which the share attributable to the semiconductor industry increased significantly to EUR 107.1 million (2022: EUR 47.5 million). Revenue from service and spare parts increased from EUR 15.2 million in the previous year to EUR 19.2 million in the 2023 financial year.
As inventories of finished goods and work in progress increased by EUR 45.2 million in the 2023 financial year (2022: decrease in inventories of EUR 62.7 million), the Group’s total operating performance increased to EUR 196.7 million after EUR 118.3 million in the previous year. The fact that the forecast of EUR 220 million to EUR 260 million was not achieved is primarily due to deviating project progress as a result of postponed customer projects.
Jan von Schuckmann, CEO: “We achieved further important successes in 2023 as part of our diversification strategy. For the 2024 financial year, we are very confident that we will continue to benefit from the ongoing positive industry environment, particularly in the semiconductor and microelectronics industry, and thus seamlessly build on the good business performance in 2023. In the medium to long term, we want to open up further attractive sales markets, for example with new innovative solutions for wafer production in the semiconductor industry or in battery production.”
For the 2024 financial year, the Executive Board is forecasting total operating revenue of EUR 200 million to EUR 300 million. EBITDA is again expected to be in the low double-digit million euro range. Incoming orders are expected to reach between EUR 200 million and EUR 300 million.
Original – centrotherm international
-
Ideal Power Inc. announced that the company received an order for SymCool™ power modules and drivers from one of the two Forbes Global 500 leaders in diverse power management markets in Ideal Power’s B-TRAN™ test and evaluation program.
“We are delighted to announce this power management market leader in our test and evaluation program is now ordering SymCool™ power modules. This global customer is evaluating SymCool™ for use in its bidirectional solid-state circuit breaker products for diverse industrial markets,” stated Dan Brdar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ideal Power.
“Strong momentum continues, and we look forward to design wins and/or custom development agreements for solid-state circuit breaker applications in industrial markets. We expect industrial markets to be the earliest source of our sales ramp beginning in the second half of 2024.”
This global power management market leader is evaluating SymCool™ against IGBT modules for use in solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) applications. The order for SymCool™ power modules follows the customer’s testing of discrete B-TRAN™ devices as part of the B-TRAN™ test and evaluation program.
Testing confirmed that the B-TRAN™ technology packaged into the multi-die SymCool™ power module has significantly lower conduction losses compared to conventional power semiconductors such as IGBTs, an advantage that is even more pronounced in bidirectional applications. In addition to energy savings, this improved efficiency also results in lower cost and less complex cooling systems, benefits that significantly impact the economics of OEM products such as SSCBs.
In response to this customer’s requests, Ideal Power provided high-volume quotes for SymCool™ power modules. This customer may also evaluate our technology for its other power conversion applications.
Original – Ideal Power
-
Magnachip Semiconductor Corporation announced the release of its new 40V MXT MV MOSFET. With this latest addition, the Company now offers 13 MOSFET and IGBT products for a wide range of automotive applications.
As the automotive industry adopts advanced technologies such as autonomous driving and enhanced infotainment systems, the demand for high-efficiency power solutions increases. According to Omdia, a global market research firm, the automotive power discrete market is projected to grow 14% annually from 2024 to 2027.
Magnachip entered the automotive sector in April 2022 with its first 40V MOSFET and has since broadened its product offerings by releasing 30V, -40V (P-channel MOSFET), 60V, and 250V MOSFETs for vehicles. In September 2023, the Company introduced 650V and 1200V IGBTs for positive temperature coefficient heaters and e-compressors for automotive. In the last two years, Magnachip’s power products have been integrated into vehicles of major automotive manufacturers in the United States, Korea, Japan and China.
Leveraging its technological capabilities, Magnachip now unveils this 40V MXT MV MOSFET (AMDD040N055RH) in the Decawatt Package (DPAK). The new MOSFET offers exceptional versatility for various automotive applications, such as motor control systems or power seat modules and electric stability control systems for reverse battery protection.
“Magnachip is committed to supplying premium products that meet the evolving demands of the automotive sector,” said YJ Kim, CEO of Magnachip. “Our technical innovation, coupled with a steady supply and a comprehensive range of product offerings, will strengthen our foothold in the automotive industry and broaden our global market presence.”
Original – Magnachip Semiconductor
-
Littelfuse, Inc. reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 30, 2024:
- Net sales of $535 million were down 12% versus the prior year period, and down 12% organically
- GAAP diluted EPS was $1.93 and adjusted diluted EPS was $1.76
- Cash flow from operations was $57 million and free cash flow was $42 million
“Our global team delivered solid first quarter results, with sales above and earnings in-line with our expectations, as our increasingly diversified end market exposures, robust technology offering, and portfolio optimization initiatives helped to offset ongoing inventory destocking,” said Dave Heinzmann, Littelfuse President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Further, our strong cash generation reflects disciplined execution, while our well-positioned balance sheet will continue to allow us to capitalize on growth opportunities. Looking forward, we remain confident in an expected return to growth during 2024, and believe our experienced team, agile operations and unwavering long-term strategic focus will drive top-tier value for our stakeholders.”
Second Quarter of 2024*
Based on current market conditions, for the second quarter the company expects,
- Net sales in the range of $525 – $555 million, adjusted diluted EPS in the range of $1.65 – $1.85 and an adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 23%
*Littelfuse provides guidance on a non-GAAP (adjusted) basis. GAAP items excluded from guidance may include the after-tax impact of items including acquisition and integration costs, restructuring, impairment and other charges, certain purchase accounting adjustments, non-operating foreign exchange adjustments and significant and unusual items. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could be material to results computed in accordance with GAAP. Littelfuse is not able to forecast the excluded items in order to provide the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure without unreasonable efforts.
Dividend and Share Repurchase Authorization
- The company’s Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase authorization to replace its expiring previous 3-year program. The company may repurchase up to $300 million in the aggregate of shares of the company’s common stock for the period May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2027.
- The company will pay a cash dividend on its common stock of $0.65 per share on June 6, 2024, to shareholders of record as of May 23, 2024
Original – Littelfuse
