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Bridge Report:(6914)OPTEX GROUP second quarter of the fiscal year ending December 2022

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Isamu Oguni President and CEO

OPTEX GROUP (6914)

 

 

Company Information

Market

TSE Prime Market

Industry

Electric equipment (Manufacturer)

President and CEO

Isamu Oguni

HQ Address

4-7-5, Nionohama, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture

Year-end

December

Homepage

https://www.optexgroup.co.jp/en/

 

Stock Information

Share Price

Shares Outstanding (Term end)

Total market cap

ROE Act.

Trading Unit

¥2,123

37,735,784 shares

¥80,113 million

11.2%

100 shares

DPS Est.

Dividend yield Est.

EPS Est.

PER Est.

BPS Act.

PBR Act.

¥36.00

1.7%

¥129.49

16.4x

¥987.36

2.2x

*The share price is the closing price on August 15. Shares Outstanding, DPS and EPS was taken from the brief report in 2Q of FY 12/22. ROE and BPS are the results of the previous year.

 

Earnings Trend

Fiscal Year

Sales

Operating profit

Ordinary profit

Net profit

EPS

DPS

December 2018

40,113

4,989

5,038

3,775

104.85

30.00

December 2019

37,517

2,856

2,876

2,197

60.02

32.50

December 2020

34,846

2,098

2,176

1,395

38.59

30.00

December 2021

45,866

4,630

5,130

3,762

104.18

30.00

December 2022 Est.

53,000

6,000

6,100

4,600

129.49

36.00

* Net profit is net profit attributed to parent shareholders. On April 1, 2018, a 2-for-1 stock split was implemented. Both EPS and DPS are revised retroactively.

 

This Bridge Report presents OPTEX GROUP’s earnings results for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending December 2022 and so on.

 

Table of Contents

Key Points
1. Company Overview
2. Second quarter of Fiscal Year Ending December 2022 Earnings Results
3. Fiscal Year Ending December 2022 Earnings Forecasts
4. Growth Strategy Initiatives
5. Conclusion
<Reference 1: Mid-term Management Plan 2024 >
<Reference 2: Regarding Corporate Governance>

 

Key Points

  • In the second quarter of the fiscal year ending December 2022, sales increased 19.7% year on year to 27,241 million yen. In addition to the sales expansion of existing businesses, mainly the SS Business and IA Business, Mitsutec, which became a subsidiary in the previous term, also contributed to the sales growth. The exchange rate also had a positive effect of about 120 million yen. Operating profit increased 42.4% year on year to 3,590 million yen. Gross profit margin decreased 1.0 points due to the acquisition of Mitsutec as a subsidiary, but gross profit grew 17.4% year on year due to increased sales, absorbing the rise in SG&A expenses. Operating profit margin rose 2.1 points year on year. The changes in foreign exchange rates increased it by about 500 million yen. Both sales and profit exceeded expectations.

     

  • There are no revisions to the earnings forecast. The supply-demand balance for parts continues to be tight, and the procurement side of the business remains extremely uncertain. For the fiscal year ending December 2022, sales are expected to increase 15.6% year on year to 53 billion yen, and operating profit is expected to rise 29.6% year on year to 6 billion yen. Sales are expected to increase in all segments and all regions. Although there are still uncertainties, such as the impact of a shortage of parts, all businesses will surely meet demand. The company will also proceed with price revisions with the understanding of the customers. The company plans to pay a dividend of 36.00 yen/share, up 6 yen/share from the previous term. The expected payout ratio is 27.8%.

     

  • The results for the first half exceeded the initial forecast. However, even though the favorable number of inquiries is expected to continue, the impact of factors such as soaring raw material prices and logistics costs due to the tight global supply and demand for semiconductors and electronic components on business activities is highly unclear. Thus, the full-year earnings forecast remains unchanged.

     

  • With respect to the rate of progress for sales and operating profit, both exceeded the level of the past several years and profit is close to a 60% level. Therefore, achieving the full-year forecasts is highly likely at this point. In the cumulative second quarter, both sales and profit increased year on year. However, we are concerned that sales and profit decreased in the second quarter from the first quarter in which the company recorded significant growth. Thus, we would like to pay attention to trends and transitions from the third quarter onward.

1. Company Overview

OPTEX GROUP Co., Ltd. is a holding company centered around OPTEX Co., Ltd. that manufactures and sells outdoor sensors (top share of 40% in the global market), automatic door sensors (30% share of the global market and 50% share of the domestic market) and environment-related products.
OPTEX GROUP holds subsidiaries including OPTEX FA CO., LTD., which deals with FA related sensing business; CCS Inc., which holds the global top share in the LED lighting business for image processing; Sanritz Automation Co., Ltd., which has a wealth of results in the development, manufacturing and sales of industrial computers, MITSUTEC CO., LTD., which plans, develops, manufactures, and sells image processing, inspection, and measuring equipment and automated machinery and equipment, contributing to the improvement in quality of manufacturing with its advanced technologies (included in the scope of consolidation from the fiscal year ending December 2022), Three Ace Co., Ltd., which specializes in the development of various systems, applications, and digital content; Optex MFG Co., Ltd., which is responsible for manufacturing Group products, RAYTEC LIMITED (UK), which has attained the largest global share (about 50 %) for supplemental lights for CCTV; and FIBER SENSYS INC. (US), which deals with optical fiber intrusion detection systems.
As of December 31, 2021, the company operates in 84 locations worldwide, including 28 overseas companies.

 

OPTEX CO., LTD.

Develops and sells sensors for various uses, such as security sensors and sensors for automatic doors

OPTEX FA CO., LTD.

Development and sales of photoelectric sensors, image inspection systems, displacement sensors and measuring instruments

CCS Inc.

Development, manufacturing and sales of LED lighting devices, and systems for image processing

Sanritz Automation Co., Ltd.

Development, manufacturing, and sales of industrial computers

MITSUTEC CO., LTD.

(Included in the scope of consolidation from the fiscal year ending December 2022)

Development, manufacturing, and sale of image processing, inspection, and measuring equipment and automated machinery and equipment

THREE ACE CO., LTD.

Development of various systems, applications, and digital content

OPTEX MFG CO., LTD.

Manufactures products for the Group and provides contract manufacturing service for electronic equipment

SICK OPTEX CO., LTD.

Development of general-purpose photoelectric sensors. A joint venture of SICK AG (Germany) and OPTEX FA CO., LTD.

GIKEN TRASTEM CO., LTD.

Development, manufacturing, and sales of people counting systems, customer traffic counting/management systems

ZENIC INC.

Contracted development of IC and LSI for image processing, and design and sales of FA systems

O’PAL OPTEX CO., LTD.

Management of outdoor activities and environmental hands-on learning programs

FIBER SENSYS INC. (US)

Development, manufacturing, and sales of fiber-optic intrusion detection systems

FARSIGHT SECURITY SERVICES LTD. (UK)

Security company providing remote video surveillance services

RAYTEC LIMITED (UK)

Development, manufacturing, and sales of supplemental lighting for surveillance cameras

GARDASOFT VISION LIMITED (UK)

Development, manufacturing, and sale of LED lighting controllers for machine vision

 

1-1 Corporate History

In May 1979, Mr. Toru Kobayashi (currently serving as a director and senior corporate adviser), who was developing security sensors in a manufacturer of anti-crime devices in Kyoto, established OPTEX Co., Ltd. with the spirit of the endeavor to “make their products recognized in the world as much as possible.”
In November 1979, the company developed “the world’s first far-infrared sensor for automatic doors.” Around that time, pressure-sensitive rubber mats were used for automatic doors, and an automatic door sensor that utilizes far-infrared light was epoch-making. OPTEX was unrivaled in maintenance and installation services and seized the largest share in the market of automatic door sensors in the third year after inauguration (currently occupying about 50% of the Japanese market).
Since then, the company has developed a wide array of products for security, automatic doors, and industrial equipment with its unique ideas and technologies that embodies them.

 

In the 1980s, the company entered overseas markets. While it had been considered impossible to set a far-infrared sensor outdoors because external factors, such as light, would cause errors, the company developed the outdoor far-infrared sensor “VX-40” with its original technology, and that sensor was highly evaluated mainly in the European market, and occupied the largest share in the global market of outdoor intrusion detection sensors.
Through business expansion, the company became an over-the-counter company (equivalent to being listed in the JASDAQ market) in 1991. Then, it was listed in the second section of Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) in 2001, and in the first section of TSE in 2003.
In April 2022, the company was listed on the Prime Market following the restructuring of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

 

Recently, the company has been strengthening solutions based on image processing technologies and high-end security systems. In 2008, it reorganized ZENIC INC., which undertakes the development of ICs and LSI for image processing, etc., into a subsidiary. In 2010, it acquired FIBER SENSYS INC. (US), which has plenty of experience handling high-end security systems (optical fiber intrusion detection systems) for important facilities in Europe and the U.S., as a subsidiary. In 2012, it acquired RAYTEC LIMITED (UK), which handles supplemental lighting for cameras of high-end security systems for important large-scale facilities, as a subsidiary.
In May 2016, it acquired CCS Inc., which has the world’s largest share in the market of LED lighting for image processing, as a subsidiary, and transformed it into a 100% subsidiary in July 2018.
With the aim of adopting next-generation business administration and pursuing group synergy, it shifted to the holding company system on January 1, 2017.
Mr. Isamu Oguni was appointed as President and CEO in March 2019.

 

In December 2020, the company acquired Sanritz Automation Co., Ltd., which has an abundance of experience in developing, manufacturing, and selling industrial computer systems, as a subsidiary. Furthermore, the company made MITSUTEC CO., LTD. into a subsidiary in November 2021. MITSUTEC CO., LTD. is a company that plans, develops, manufactures, and sells image processing inspection / measuring equipment and automated machinery and equipment. In February 2022, it announced its three-year mid-term management plan with the final year being the fiscal year ending December 2024. To achieve this plan, the company aims for further growth as the global niche No. 1 company by promoting business model reforms and strengthening solution proposal capabilities.

 

1-2 Business Description

The Company’s business is composed of its main SS business (security sensor segment and automatic door sensor segment), sensors for industrial machinery, LED lighting device and system for image processing, the “IA Business” which works towards the automation, labor saving, and optimization of the production line using industrial computers, “EMS business,” which was included in the SS business up until the previous term and provides contract manufacturing services for electronic equipment in China, and “Other business”, which operates programs for outdoor activities and experiencing and learning of the environment and develops apps and digital content.

 

Segment

Business Description

SS Business

Security Sensor segment

Main products include various indoor and outdoor sensors, wireless security systems and LED lighting control systems, etc. For outdoor sensors, the company has the leading share in the global market. Recently, it focuses on development of the automobile detection sensor using microwave technologies.

Automatic Door Sensor segment

The company developed the world’s first automatic door sensor using infrared rays.

Main products are automatic door opening/closing sensors, shutter sensors for factories, wireless touch switches, etc.

Other

Equipment for measuring water quality. Transportation safety products, Customer traffic counting/management systems, developing/marketing of image processing-related products.

IA Business

FA segment

Main products include photoelectric sensors used for quality control and automation of production lines, displacement sensors, image sensors, LED lights, etc. In Japan, these products are provided to a wide range of industries such as food or pharmaceutical for quality control of production lines. In Europe, its products on an OEM basis through its technological partner SICK AG (Germany) that has the largest share in industrial sensor market. Also, its house-brand products have been launched in Asia and North America.

MVL segment

The company has a significant share in the LED lighting business for image processing. The company offers solutions using the natural light LED developed by the company, which boasts the best color rendering property in the field.

IPC segment

The company has shown great results in the development, manufacturing, and sale of industrial computers. Specializes in the development of devices and systems that require both “hardware” and “software” of industrial built-in computers.

MECT segment

The company possesses advanced mechatronics technologies, such as high-speed and high-precision filling and high-speed conveyance technologies and provides high-quality automation equipment that meets strict requirements. Regarding image processing inspection and measurement equipment, the company has built an image processing inspection system for dealing with customers' issues.

EMS-related

Contract manufacturing services for electronic equipment, developed at a factory in China.

Others

Operating outdoor activities and environmental hands-on learning programs and development of applications and digital content.

*SS: Sensing Solution, IA:Industrial Automation, FA:Factory Automation, MVL:Machine Vision Lighting, IPC:Industrial PC MECT:Mechatronics, EMS: Electronics Manufacturing Service.

 

1-3 Advantages: Diversified Technologies/Expertise on Sensing and Unique Sensing Algorithm

To produce stable and reliable sensors, it is essential to build on a number of elemental technologies and expertise, as well as “algorithms” to control physical changes. The company takes advantage of its technologies/expertise suitable for intended applications and its unique sensing algorithm to secure the largest share in the global market.

 

Noise abatement technology

・Hardware design to minimize various noises

・Conduct a number of environmental assessments based on its own standard, and launch products that passed the assessments

Sophisticated optical design

・Make use of optical simulation to achieve high-density areas eliminating blind spots

・Packaging technologies to enable downsizing

Compliant to public standards for reliability

・Adapted and compliant to any global standards

・Adapted and compliant to industry standards and guidelines

(CE marking, EN standard [TUV certified], ANSI, JIS, etc.)

Environment friendly design

・By identifying 15 restricted-use materials and 10 self-control materials, the company succeeded in excluding toxic substances in all products

・Compliant to RoHS directive, lead-free solder alloy

・Design to minimize the effect from CO2 when in use

Secure & safe control

・Adopt self-diagnosis functions in emergency or in failure to prevent system outage, and fail-safe devices for sensors

・Propose preventive maintenance measures to maintain functions

Unique sensing algorithm

・Unique algorithm to eliminate the impact of noise ineliminable by hardware, detect, scan and analyze only the intended events

・Various automatic correction functions to maintain performance in the field

High market share

The company has a high share in unique products with their motto, “global niche No. 1.”

Outdoor intrusion detection sensors: 40%

Sensors for automatic doors: 30%

LED lighting for image inspections: 30%

 

1-4 ROE analysis

 

FY12/ 12

FY12/ 13

FY12/ 14

FY12/ 15

FY12/ 16

FY12/ 17

F 12/ 18

FY12/ 19

FY12/ 20

FY12/ 21

ROE (%)

4.7

8.2

8.6

8.7

7.4

12.6

12.3

6.8

4.3

11.2

Net profit margin (%)

3.99

6.87

7.39

7.38

5.83

9.03

9.41

5.86

4.00

8.20

Total asset turnover (times)

0.91

0.92

0.89

0.91

0.91

0.95

0.95

0.86

0.76

0.87

Leverage (times)

1.28

1.30

1.31

1.30

1.41

1.48

1.38

1.35

1.41

1.56

 

The ROE of the company recovered to its target of 10% or more for the first time in three terms in the fiscal year ended December 2021. It is aiming for an operating profit margin of 15% or more in its Mid-term Management Plan 2024. Under this aim, it will promote cost efficiencies and a transformation from selling goods to selling things with the aim of reliably improving its ROE and maintaining it to at least 10%.

 

1-5 Efforts on ESG

The company believes that building a relationship of trust with a wide range of stakeholders is essential for improving corporate value and has posted 「ESG information」(https://www.optexgroup.co.jp/en/esg/stakeholder.html)on its website to further enhance ESG information disclosure. In addition, Published the ESG Bridge Report through Investment Bridge Inc.
The company identify the materiality for sustainable growth for the first time and mention the challenges and initiatives for the future in the report.
Posted on April 26, 2022.
https://www.bridge-salon.jp/report_bridge/archives/eng/6914/20220531.html

 

2. Second quarter of Fiscal Year Ending December 2022 Earnings Results

(1) Business Results

 

2Q of FY 12/21

Ratio to sales

2Q of FY 12/22

Ratio to sales

YoY

Compared to forecast

Sales

22,750

100.0%

27,241

100.0%

+19.7%

+4.4%

Gross profit

11,862

52.1%

13,930

51.1%

+17.4%

-

SG&A

9,341

41.1%

10,340

38.0%

+10.7%

-

Operating profit

2,520

11.1%

3,590

13.2%

+42.4%

+26.0%

Ordinary profit

2,841

12.5%

4,297

15.8%

+51.2%

+48.2%

Quarterly Net Profit

1,921

8.4%

3,120

11.5%

+62.4%

+45.1%

 *Unit: million yen. The Quarterly Net profit is the quarterly profit attributable to owners of the parent company. The same shall apply hereinafter.

 

Sales and profit increased. Both sales and profit exceeded expectations.
Sales increased 19.7% year on year to 27,241 million yen. In addition to the sales expansion of existing businesses, mainly the SS Business and IA Business, Mitsutec, which became a subsidiary in the previous term, also contributed to the sales growth. The exchange rate also had a positive effect of about 120 million yen. Operating profit increased 42.4% year on year to 3,590 million yen. Gross profit margin decreased 1.0 points due to the acquisition of Mitsutec as a subsidiary, but gross profit grew 17.4% year on year due to increased sales, absorbing the rise in SG&A expenses. Operating profit margin rose 2.1 points year on year. The changes in foreign exchange rates increased it by about 500 million yen. Both sales and profit exceeded expectations.

 

◎Trends in each quarter

 

 

On a quarterly basis, Q2 sales and profits increased YoY, but declined QoQ.

 

◎Regional trends

 

2Q of FY 12/21

Ratio to sales

2Q of FY 12/22

Ratio to sales

YoY

Compared to forecast

Consolidated Sales

22,750

100.0%

27,241

100.0%

+19.7%

+4.4%

Domestic

10,410

45.8%

12,207

44.8%

+17.3%

-2.9%

Overseas

12,340

54.2%

15,034

55.2%

+21.8%

+11.2%

 America

2,602

11.4%

3,421

12.6%

+31.5%

+21.2%

 Europe

6,495

28.5%

7,887

29.0%

+21.4%

+8.0%

 Asia

3,243

14.3%

3,726

13.7%

+14.9%

+9.7%

*Unit: million yen.

 

Double-digit sales growth both in Japan and overseas. Domestic sales were lower than expected.

 

◎Average exchange rate

 

2Q of FY 12/21

2Q of FY 12/22

USD

¥107.69

¥122.89

EURO

¥129.82

¥134.25

 

(2) Earnings by Segment

①Trends in each segment

 

2Q of FY 12/21

Ratio to sales

2Q of FY 12/22

Ratio to sales

YoY

Compared to forecast

SS Business

9,961

43.8%

11,509

42.2%

+15.5%

+8.7%

IA Business

12,218

53.7%

15,036

55.2%

+23.1%

+1.8%

EMS Business

328

1.4%

422

1.5%

+28.7%

+2.4%

Others

242

1.1%

273

1.0%

+12.8%

-15.7%

Sales

22,750

100.0%

27,241

100.0%

+19.7%

+4.4%

SS Business

1,199

12.0%

1,554

13.5%

+29.6%

-

IA Business

1,445

11.8%

2,123

14.1%

+46.9%

-

EMS Business

112

34.1%

111

26.3%

-0.9%

-

Others

-20

-

3

-

-

-

Adjustments

-215

-

-203

-

-

-

Operating profit

2,520

11.1%

3,590

13.2%

+42.4%

+26.0%

*Unit: million yen. Ratio to sales of Operating profit refers to Sales Profit margin.

 

②Trends in each segment and region

 

2Q of FY 12/21

Ratio to sales

2Q of FY 12/22

Ratio to sales

YoY

Compared to forecast

SS: Security

6,832

100.0%

7,956

100.0%

+16.5%

+10.5%

Japan

1,197

17.5%

1,135

14.3%

-5.2%

-11.1%

AMERICAs

1,308

19.1%

1,807

22.7%

+38.1%

+25.9%

EMEA

3,699

54.1%

4,444

55.9%

+20.1%

+16.5%

Asia・Oceania

628

9.2%

570

7.2%

-9.2%

-15.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SS: Automatic door

2,139

100.0%

2,494

100.0%

+16.6%

+7.8%

Japan

1,026

48.0%

1,113

44.6%

+8.5%

-0.7%

AMERICAs

577

27.0%

739

29.6%

+28.1%

+24.6%

EMEA

474

22.2%

575

23.1%

+21.3%

+8.9%

Asia・Oceania

62

2.9%

67

2.7%

+8.1%

-6.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IA:FA

4,803

100.0%

5,590

100.0%

+16.4%

+11.3%

Japan

2,136

49.2%

2,301

49.7%

+7.7%

+11.5%

AMERICAs

70

25.9%

104

25.2%

+48.6%

+19.5%

EMEA

1,217

21.9%

1,477

21.8%

+21.4%

-4.2%

Asia・Oceania

1,380

2.9%

1,708

3.2%

+23.8%

+28.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IA:MVL

5,666

100.0%

6,665

100.0%

+17.6%

+5.3%

Japan

2,946

52.0%

3,420

51.3%

+16.1%

+9.2%

AMERICAs

630

11.1%

767

11.5%

+21.7%

+10.0%

EMEA

1,105

19.5%

1,390

20.9%

+25.8%

-2.2%

Asia・Oceania

985

17.4%

1,088

16.3%

+10.5%

+0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IA:IPC

1,749

100.0%

2,086

100.0%

+19.3%

+0.2%

Japan

1,733

99.1%

2,083

99.9%

+20.2%

+0.5%

AMERICAs

16

0.9%

3

0.1%

-81.3%

-70.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IA:MECT

0

-

696

100.0%

-

-48.1%

Japan

0

-

668

96.0%

-

-50.2%

Asia・Oceania

0

-

28

4.0%

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMS

329

100.0%

422

100.0%

+28.3%

+2.4%

Japan

225

68.4%

252

59.7%

+12.0%

-12.5%

AMERICAs

1

0.3%

1

0.2%

0.0%

-

Asia・Oceania

103

31.3%

169

40.0%

+64.1%

+36.3%

*Unit: million yen.

 

◎SS Business
Sales and profits increased.

 

(Security sensor segment)
Sales increased.

 

*Japan

Sales decreased. While sales of products for large-scale critical facilities were strong, sales of outdoor intrusion detectors were sluggish due to delays in product supply because of the shortage of parts.

*AMERICAs

Sales grew. Although there was a delay in the supply of products due to a shortage of parts, sales to large-scale critical facilities such as infrastructure were healthy due to direct marketing.

*EMEA

Sales increased. As in the Americas, there were delays in product supply due to parts shortages, but due to direct marketing, sales to large-scale critical facilities such as data centers were healthy.

* Asia・Oceania

Sales declined. Sales of outdoor intrusion detectors were strong in India, but sales in China and Southeast Asia were sluggish due to activity restrictions and delays in product supply due to parts shortages.

 

(Automatic door sensor segment)
Sales increased.

 

*Japan

Sales increased. The company's ability to supply products was highly evaluated, and sales to major automatic door manufacturers were firm.

*AMERICAs

Sales increased. Although there were delays in product supply due to a shortage of parts, sales to major North American automatic door manufacturers were strong.

*EMEA

Sales increased. Although there were delays in product supply due to a shortage of parts, sales to major European automatic door manufacturers were strong.

 

◎IA Business
Sales and profits increased.

 

(FA segment)
Sales increased.

 

*Japan

Sales increased. Sales for investments related to electricity, electronics, and semiconductors were strong.

*EMEA

Sales increased. Sales of displacement sensors for electronic components were strong.

*Asia・Oceania

Sales increased. Sales of displacement sensors were strong in China due to capital investment demand for semiconductors, electronic components, and rechargeable batteries.

 

(MVL segment)
Sales increased.

 

*Japan

Sales increased. They receive many business inquiries about products for electric devices, electronics, and semiconductors.

*AMERICAs

Sales increased. The market share in the logistics industry increased due to the products of the French subsidiary.

*EMEA

Sales increased. The market share in the logistics industry in Europe increased due to the products of the French subsidiary.

*Asia・Oceania

Sales increased. Sales for semiconductor-related investments were strong in China.

 

 

(IPC segment)
Sales increased.

 

*Japan

Sales increased. Sales of industrial PCs for semiconductor manufacturing equipment were strong.

 

(3) Financial Conditions and Cash Flow

◎Main BS

 

End of Dec.2021

End of Jun.2022

Increase/ decrease

 

End of Dec.2021

End of Jun.2022

Increase/ decrease

Current Assets

42,544

46,286

+3,742

Current liabilities

18,562

17,058

-1,504

 Cash

17,120

17,993

+873

 Payables

2,589

3,045

+456

 Receivables

10,444

11,586

+1,142

 ST Interest Bearing Liabilities

10,684

9,336

-1,348

 Inventories

11,635

13,482

+1,847

Noncurrent liabilities

3,846

5,227

+1,381

Noncurrent Assets

15,224

15,256

+32

 LT Interest Bearing Liabilities

210

1,656

+1,446

 Tangible Assets

6,993

7,256

+263

 Net defined benefit liabilities

1,366

1,371

+5

 Intangible Assets

3,204

3,105

-99

Liabilities

22,408

22,286

-122

 Investment, Others

5,026

4,895

-131

Net Assets

35,360

39,256

+3,896

Total assets

57,769

61,543

+3,774

Total Liabilities and Net Assets

57,769

61,543

+3,774

*Unit: million yen

 

Total assets increased 3,700 million yen from the end of the previous term to 61,500 million yen, due to the growth of receivables, inventories, etc.
Total liabilities remained almost unchanged at 22,200 million yen.
Net assets were 39,200 million yen, up 3,800 million yen from the end of the previous term, due to an increase in retained earnings, etc.
The equity ratio was 63.3%, up 2.6 point from the end of the previous fiscal year.

 

◎Cash Flows (CF)

 

2Q of FY 12/21

2Q of FY 12/22

Increase/Decrease

Operating CF (A)

2,298

1,487

-811

Investing CF (B)

-636

-690

-54

Free CF (A+B)

1,662

797

-865

Financing CF

-1,079

-603

+476

Balance of cash and cash equivalents at end of period

15,588

17,993

+2,405

*Unit: million yen.

 

The surplus of the operating CF and free CF shrank due to an increase in corporate tax payments, etc.
The cash position improved.

 

 

(4) Topics

In July 2022, Optex Co., Ltd. released its original AMS-01V-JP software (hereinafter called “alarm monitoring software”), which can remotely monitor and adjust its intrusion detection sensors.
Optex has been promoting IoT in many businesses, including automatic doors, remote monitoring of water quality, and security systems for Southeast Asia, and has developed monitoring software that specializes in improving the security of domestic critical facilities by utilizing the know-how it has acquired. The software is patent pending.

 

(Development background)
Since its founding in 1979, Optex has developed and provided security devices for preventing physical intrusion. In recent years, while providing security devices for critical facilities, the company has received many requests, such as "we want a system including the control unit" and "we would like to build a system using an IP network." Thus, the company has been developing alarm monitoring software to increase its sensors' utilization and maintainability further.

 

(Features)
It works directly with an IP network-compatible intrusion detection sensor and provides a graphic display specialized for intrusion monitoring. In addition, it can reduce the site burden as the sensor settings can be changed from the security guard's office without having to go to the site.

 

The company will continue expanding its intrusion detection sensors that are compatible with IP networks and offer solutions in terms of both software and hardware.

 

 

3. Fiscal Year Ending December 2022 Earnings Forecasts

(1) Earnings forecast

 

FY 12/21

Ratio to sales

FY 12/22 Est.

Ratio to sales

YoY

Rate of progress

Sales

45,866

100.0%

53,000

100.0%

+15.6%

51.4%

Operating Profit

4,630

10.1%

6,000

11.3%

+29.6%

59.8%

Ordinary Profit

5,130

11.2%

6,100

11.5%

+18.9%

70.4%

Net Profit

3,762

8.2%

4,600

8.7%

+22.3%

67.8%

 *Unit: million yen. Rate of progress is the progress against the full-year forecast.

 

No change in earnings forecast, Sales and profit expected to increase
There are no revisions to the earnings forecast. The supply-demand balance for parts continues to be tight, and the procurement side of the business remains extremely uncertain. The forecasts for the fiscal year ending December 2022 are for sales to be up 15.6% year-on-year to 53 billion yen and operating profit to be up 29.6% year-on-year to 6 billion yen. Sales are expected to increase in all segments and all regions. The impact of parts shortages and other uncertainties remains. Nevertheless, the company will reliably capture demand in each business. It will also revise its prices while obtaining the understanding of its customers. The company plans to increase its dividend payment year-on-year by 6 yen per share to 36.00 yen per share. Its expected dividend payout ratio is 27.8%.

 

The company anticipates that the parts supply and demand situation will remain tight, so it will take the following measures to enhance cooperation with business partners to ensure a stable supply of products.

☆ Pre-arrangement of parts for a long term of 6 months to 1 year

☆ To enhance information coordination with suppliers and business partners

☆ To diversify and speed up procurement routes

☆ To speed ​​up design changes to match the alternative parts

☆ Review of selling prices in response to soaring material prices

 

◎Regional trends

 

FY 12/21

Ratio to sales

FY 12/22 Est.

Ratio to sales

YoY

Rate of progress

Consolidated sales

45,866

100.0%

53,000

100.0%

+15.6%

51.4%

Domestic

21,157

46.1%

25,568

48.2%

+20.8%

47.7%

International

24,709

53.9%

27,432

51.8%

+11.0%

54.8%

 AMERICAs

5,381

11.7%

5,933

11.2%

+10.3%

57.7%

 Europe

12,965

28.3%

14,461

27.3%

+11.5%

54.5%

 Asia

6,363

13.9%

7,038

13.3%

+10.6%

52.9%

*Unit: million yen. The cells with year-on-year sales growth rates exceeding 15.6% (company-wide sales growth rate) and company-wide sales progress rate of more than 51.4%. are colored.

 

(2) Trends in each segment

①Sales of each segment

 

FY 12/21

Ratio to sales

FY 12/22 Est.

Ratio to sales

YoY

Rate of progress

SS Business

20,164

44.0%

21,984

41.5%

+9.0%

52.4%

IA Business

24,409

53.2%

29,489

55.6%

+20.8%

51.0%

EMS Business

756

1.6%

873

1.6%

+15.5%

48.3%

Others

534

1.2%

654

1.2%

+22.5%

41.7%

Consolidated sales

45,866

100.0%

53,000

100.0%

+15.6%

51.4%

*Unit: million yen. The cells with year-on-year sales growth rates exceeding 15.6% (company-wide sales growth rate) and company-wide sales progress rate of more than 51.4%. are colored.

 

②Trends in each segment and region

 

FY 12/21

Ratio to sales

FY 12/22 Est.

Ratio to sales

YoY

Rate of progress

SS: Security

13,653

100.0%

14,947

100.0%

+9.5%

53.2%

Japan

2,465

18.1%

2,779

18.6%

+12.7%

40.8%

AMERICAs

2,811

20.6%

3,062

20.5%

+8.9%

59.0%

EMEA

7,044

51.6%

7,678

51.4%

+9.0%

57.9%

Asia, Oceania

1,333

9.8%

1,428

9.6%

+7.1%

39.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SS: Automatic door

4,443

100.0%

4,818

100.0%

+8.4%

51.8%

Japan

2,186

49.2%

2,395

49.7%

+9.6%

46.5%

AMERICAs

1,152

25.9%

1,215

25.2%

+5.5%

60.8%

EMEA

975

21.9%

1,052

21.8%

+7.9%

54.7%

Asia, Oceania

130

2.9%

156

3.2%

+20.0%

42.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IA:FA

9,711

100.0%

10,364

100.0%

+6.7%

53.9%

Japan

4,389

45.2%

4,363

42.1%

-0.6%

52.7%

AMERICAs

143

1.5%

189

1.8%

+32.2%

55.0%

EMEA

2,621

27.0%

3,034

29.3%

+15.8%

48.7%

Asia, Oceania

2,558

26.3%

2,778

26.8%

+8.6%

61.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IA:MVL

11,364

100.0%

12,717

100.0%

+11.9%

52.4%

Japan

5,881

51.8%

6,405

50.4%

+8.9%

53.4%

AMERICAs

1,233

10.9%

1,452

11.4%

+17.8%

52.8%

EMEA

2,325

20.5%

2,697

21.2%

+16.0%

51.5%

Asia, Oceania

1,925

16.9%

2,163

17.0%

+12.4%

50.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IA:IPC

3,334

100.0%

3,781

100.0%

+13.4%

55.2%

Japan

3,294

98.8%

3,766

99.6%

+14.3%

55.3%

AMERICAs

40

1.2%

15

0.4%

-62.5%

20.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IA:MECT

0

-

2,627

100.0%

-

26.5%

Japan

0

-

2,627

100.0%

-

25.4%

Asia, Oceania

0

-

0

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMS

757

100.0%

873

100.0%

+15.3%

48.3%

Japan

529

69.9%

623

71.4%

+17.8%

40.4%

AMERICAs

2

0.3%

0

0.0%

-

-

Asia, Oceania

226

29.9%

250

28.6%

+10.6%

67.6%

*Unit: million yen. The cells with year-on-year sales growth rates exceeding 15.6% (company-wide sales growth rate) and company-wide sales progress rate of more than 51.4%. are colored.

 

4. Growth Strategy Initiatives

Growth strategies for each business are as follows.

 

(1) SS Business (security-related)

Mainly in the U.S. market, the company is promoting a direct marketing strategy targeting large-scale critical facilities such as infrastructure and data centers.
In addition to expanding the product lineup for these facilities, such as outdoor and indoor sensors and laser scan sensors, the company has formed a dedicated sales team to focus on developing new sales channels.

 

(2) IA Business (FA-related)

The company will expand the lineup of IO-Link Master, which are systems that visualize the status of sensors to promote IoT in factories and enable remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and shortening of maintenance time to transform production sites digitally.

 

(3) IA Business (MVL-related)

In April 2022, CCS Inc. started selling Solution AI, which supports the use of AI in visual inspections at production sites benefiting from their know-how as an image processing lighting manufacturer.

 

(Visual inspection using AI and its challenges)
In most factory production lines, cameras, lenses, and LED lighting are used to determine the target object, and those determined to be defective are re-inspected.
Regarding reinspection, visual inspections were mainly conducted by inspectors in the past, but due to labor shortages and the aging of skilled inspectors, visual inspections using AI are rapidly becoming popular.
However, even though using AI has solved visual inspection problems and shortened inspection time, for AI to be used in inspections, it is necessary to create the data to be learned for each inspection, repeat testing, create an AI learning model, and then provide the AI ​​model with actual images for inspection and perform the inference process. Thus, new challenges have emerged, such as the inability to acquire images that improve the judgment ability of AI and the time and cost required to use AI.

 

(Overview of Solution AI)
Therefore, to support the use of AI in visual inspections at production sites, CCS started providing Solution AI, which implements an AI inference plug-in developed by CCS in an image processing development tool and combines it with the AI ​​software of each company.

 

Since opening AI laboratories in Tokyo and Kyoto in 2018, the company has supported the introduction of AI into the inspection process, achieving imaging that is easy for AI to detect.
These AI laboratories support AI learning and data creation by performing primary verification using multiple AI software, commissioning n-increase imaging to improve AI judgment accuracy and performing demonstration experiments to improve AI accuracy to a level that can actually be used on inspection lines.

 

Solution AI is a solution that implements CCS' original AI inference plug-in in Nippon Electro Sensory Devices' image processing development tool, TechView, and combines AI software from each company.
In order to build an AI inference application that is essential for the effective use of AI, it is necessary to construct an inference program provided by each AI software while following specifications that support various tests. However, Solution AI can build AI inference applications through intuitive operations, thus, significantly reducing work hours and costs for programming, debugging, etc., and facilitating using AI visual inspection at manufacturing sites.
In addition, since it supports multiple AI package software specialized in machine vision, it is possible to select software according to the inspection target and inspection environment.

 

 

5. Conclusion

The results for the first half exceeded the initial forecast. However, even though the favorable number of inquiries is expected to continue, the impact of factors such as soaring raw material prices and logistics costs due to the tight global supply and demand for semiconductors and electronic components on business activities is highly unclear. Thus, the full-year earnings forecast remains unchanged.
With respect to the rate of progress for sales and operating profit, both exceeded the level of the past several years and profit is close to a 60% level. Therefore, achieving the full-year forecasts is highly likely at this point. In the cumulative second quarter, both sales and profit increased year on year. However, we are concerned that sales and profit decreased in the second quarter from the first quarter in which the company recorded significant growth. Thus, we would like to pay attention to trends and transitions from the third quarter onward.

 

<Reference 1: Mid-term Management Plan 2024>

(1) Overview of the Mid-term Management Plan 2024

The company is aiming for operating profit of at least 10 billion yen and an operating profit margin of 15% in 2025 under its group corporate philosophy of “aim to be a corporate group brimming with a venture spirit.”
It believes that promoting the optimization of costs is an important issue.

 

(Taken from the company’s material)

 

(2) Strategy for target achievement

The three prongs of its strategy are “growth of existing businesses,” “growth of companies acquired,” and “synergy with companies acquired.”

 

① Growth of existing businesses: Provide system solutions
*SS Business:Security Sensor segment
The company will expand sales of its image verification solutions in the United States and Europe. It will provide not only sensors but systems as well.

 

*SS Business: Automatic Door Sensor Segment
The company will expand its Data Service Business using its advantage of occupying 50% of the domestic market.
The company launched a sharing service, OMNICITY, in February 2021.

 

*IA Business:FA segment
The company will further promote collaboration with SICK AG, which is the world top sensor manufacturer, to provide systems that enable remote monitoring and predictive maintenance. It will contribute to converting factories to the IoT.

 

*IA Business (Machine Vision Lighting (MVL) segment)
The company proposes comprehensive solutions by using AI and robots to cultivate data in the field of visual inspection that is currently performed with the human eye.

 

② Growth of companies acquired: Main businesses of companies acquired through M&As expand with favorable conditions in the market environment
*IA Business: Sanritz Automation
Embedded boards that control semiconductor manufacturing devices, medical equipment, and other products are indispensable parts.
Sanritz Automation has been highly praised for its environmental resistance, noise resistance, and long-term supply capabilities (long-term ongoing support and maintenance). It will now aim to further expand sales in the future.

 

*IA Business: Mitsutec
Mitsutec has been involved in rechargeable battery manufacturing devices since its establishment. As a system integrator of factory automation, it utilizes advanced mechatronic technologies and image processing technologies in battery manufacturing devices and other products that are indispensable for a decarbonized society.
It aims to expand sales of rechargeable battery manufacturing devices that are expected to grow significantly in electric vehicles and other fields using its high-speed and high-precision filling technologies, high-speed transportation technologies, and other advanced mechatronic technologies.

 

③ Synergy with companies acquired
*Sanritz Automation
Sanritz Automation handles parking lot management, important facility surveillance cameras, and more in addition to traffic control (ETC).
The company believes it will be able to create great synergies by promoting system sales that utilize the strengths of each party together with the SS business (security-related) of the OPTEX Group (e.g., automobile license plate management and surveillance cameras).

 

*Mitsutec
Mitsutec is active as a system integrator in factory automation for various industrial fields. It has many customers. However, it does not manufacture or sell sensors or cameras on its own.
Accordingly, the company believes it will be able to generate synergies by partnering it with its IA business to provide cameras, LED lighting, various measuring instruments, and other products according to the issues of customers and then building and providing image processing inspection systems that combine those.

 

*CCS
CCS promotes business accompanying OPTEX FA. It has excellent customers in the electricity, electronics, and semiconductor industries. It has been efficiently expanding sales channels that could not be cultivated by OPTEX FA alone before now.

 

(3) Management indicators

The company has stated that its management indicators are a sales growth rate of 10%, an operating profit margin of at least 15%, and an ROE of at least 10%.
The profit margins of Sanritz Automation and Mitsutec are not as high as that of the OPTEX Group. Therefore, the company expects its operating profit margin for the fiscal year ending December 2024 – the final fiscal year of its mid-term management plan – to remain at 13%. It will work to expand systems solutions in its existing businesses and to improve profitability over the entire group by promoting cost optimization.

 

<Reference 2: Regarding Corporate Governance>

◎Organization type, and the composition of directors and auditors

Organization type

Company with audit and supervisory committee

Directors

11directors, including 4 outside ones

 

◎Corporate Governance ReportThe latest revision date: March 28, 2022

 

<Fundamental concept>
As the Group, we recognize that it is our greatest mission to continuously improve corporate value while earning the trust of our shareholders, investors, customers, and society. To practice it, we consider enhancement of the corporate governance as one of important management tasks and aim to improve the transparency of management, maintain management systems accompanying fair and prompt decision making and strengthen management monitoring function.

 

<Reasons for Non-compliance with the Principles of the Corporate Governance Code >
We state this based on the code revised in June 2021. (This includes content for the Prime Market that will apply from April 4, 2022, onward).

 

[Supplementary Principle 3-1-3. Sustainability Initiatives]
The Group’s initiatives are posted in “3. Issues, Materialities, and Initiatives” in the ESG Report on our website (https://www.optexgroup.co.jp/shareholder/library/index.html#esgreport).
However, the company is currently forming a project team to start studying the quality and quantity of internationally established disclosure methods and equivalent disclosures.

 

[Supplementary Principle 4-2-2. Basic Policy for the Sustainability of Our Company]
The Group’s initiatives are posted in “3. Issues, Materialities, and Initiatives” in the ESG Report on our website (https://www.optexgroup.co.jp/shareholder/library/index.html#esgreport).
However, the company is currently forming a project team to start studying the formulation of a system and the basic policy regarding sustainability from the perspective of improving corporate value over the medium to long term.

 

<Disclosures Based on the Principles in the Corporate Governance Code (Excerpt)>
[Principle 1-4. Cross-shareholdings]
The Company acquires and possesses cross-shareholdings upon deliberations and a resolution by the Board of Directors only when it is determined that it will contribute to strengthening business relationships and increasing corporate value in the Group’s business strategy. In addition, the Board of Directors verifies the significance of the shares we held every year. If it determines that the reasonable value sought is poor, we will strive to sell and reduce that holding in consideration of market trends and other factors.
Cross-shareholdings held by the Company at present: 54 million yen in one company (Amount on the balance sheet for December 31, 2021)

 

The Company makes a comprehensive judgement to determine the advisability of exercising the voting rights for the shares we hold. We individually examine this based on whether doing so will contribute to the sustainable growth and improvement of mid- to long-term corporate value improvement of that company and whether doing so will significantly harm shareholder value.

 

[Supplementary Principle 2-4-1. Ensuring Diversity in the Promotion of Core Personnel]
The concept of our corporate group since the business start-up has been "a desire to be a company in which self-actualization is possible for employees with the company serving as the stage for that." Under this desire, we have focused on creating an environment so that employees themselves can make the stages of their lives full of changes and inspiration without discriminating between men and women, nationalities, and between new employees fresh out of college and mid-career hires.

 

The status of employees of our domestic group companies (12 companies including our company) is as follows.
- Male / female rati Male : Female = 77% : 23%
- Ratio of mid-career hires: 62%
- Ratio of foreign employees: 2%
- Male-female ratio of managers: Male : Female = 97% : 3%
- Ratio of mid-career hires among managers: 64%

 

As mentioned above, due to the characteristics of the Group's business areas and business content, there are potentially few female and foreign employees, and their percentage among managers is not high at present.
On the other hand, more than 60% of mid-career hires have been promoted to managerial positions showing that we recognize that diverse human resources with various experiences and skills shall occupy the core of management.
In addition, our corporate group has consolidated subsidiaries worldwide. Thus, we believe that we have sufficiently ensured the diversity of our corporate group as a whole, including these subsidiaries.
We will consider the features of each operating company in each business area and continue to actively promote and review the environment to fully demonstrate the capabilities of each employee to secure more diversity of employees.

 

[Principle 5-1. Policy on Constructive Dialogue with Shareholders]
The Company has established an public relations・IR Department. The IR Department strives to provide easy-to-understand explanations about our management policies and business conditions to engage in positive and constructive dialogue with our shareholders. In addition, the President, the responsible officer, and IR personnel give briefings for institutional investors and briefings for private investors on a planned basis. We respond to requests for meetings with institutional investors as the occasion calls.
We establish a venue to allow the attendance of diverse shareholders at our ordinary general meeting of shareholders. We then hold a shareholder briefing and a shareholder social gathering to obtain understanding for our future policies after the end of that meeting.
*We canceled the shareholder social gathering at the 43rd Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders from the perspective of preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

 

This report is not intended for soliciting or promoting investment activities or offering any advice on investment or the like, but for providing information only. The information included in this report was taken from sources considered reliable by our company. Our company will not guarantee the accuracy, integrity, or appropriateness of information or opinions in this report. Our company will not assume any responsibility for expenses, damages or the like arising out of the use of this report or information obtained from this report. All kinds of rights related to this report belong to Investment Bridge Co., Ltd. The contents, etc. of this report may be revised without notice. Please make an investment decision on your own judgment.

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