Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd
TSE:6302
Earnings Call Analysis
Q2-2023 Analysis
Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd
President Shinji Shimomura kickstarted the briefing with an overview of the financial results of the second quarter of FY '23, alongside future projections and initiatives.
Amidst challenging market conditions with regional weaknesses, geopolitical risks, and supply-demand tightness, the company reported orders worth JPY 512.7 billion, net sales of JPY 510.1 billion, and an operating profit of JPY 30.7 billion for Q2 FY '23. These numbers signal a mixed performance with decreases in certain areas due to reduced demand and project delays, but an overall rise in operating profits thanks largely to the mechatronics segment and favorable exchange rates.
Investors will see continuity in their returns with an interim dividend remaining stable at JPY 60 per share, reflective of a steady current profit at JPY 22.5 billion, similar to the previous year.
With total assets at JPY 1,203.5 billion, the company is managing a negative free cash flow of JPY 0.5 billion, primarily due to heightened investments outstripping the cash generated from operations.
Forecasts for FY '23 have been adjusted to anticipate orders totaling JPY 1.055 trillion, net sales of JPY 1.075 trillion, and an operating profit of JPY 64 billion. However, operational challenges and persistent cost pressures have tempered these projections. The dividend forecast remains fixed at JPY 120 per share, with a payout ratio of 38.7% and an expected ROIC of 6.0%.
The Logistics & Construction segment is poised for sales and profit growth despite a drop in orders. The energy plant business within the Energy & Lifeline segment is looking at an increase in orders, particularly for projects outside Japan, and an improved operating profit due to halted declines in European project profitability.
The company has made strides in innovation, with the STAF system gaining awards and potentially expanding due to the electric vehicle trend. Additionally, the company has entered the nuclear medicine field with an investment in Alpha Fusion Inc.
The company's sustainability efforts have earned it a place in the FTSE Blossom Japan Index for the first time. Environmental initiatives include construction of a LAES and achieving ZEB-Ready certification for buildings. Social efforts are around improving the work environment for foreign technical interns, while governance measures include optimizing the next medium-term management plan and enhancing the Board's supervisory function.
Looking to the future, the upcoming medium-term management plan for FY '24 - '26 is designed to be a stepping stone towards the ideal state envisioned for 2030, emphasizing ROIC management and shareholder value. The company has set ambitious 2030 financial targets for an operating profit of JPY 130 billion and an ROIC of 10% or higher, along with significant nonfinancial goals aimed at social and environmental betterment.
Persistent use of ROIC (Return on Invested Capital) as a core management metric will continue, highlighting past active investments that have yet to yield the desired profit growth. Future plans include rectifying underperforming segments like Mechatronics and Energy & Lifeline to match ROIC with the cost of capital. The company will accelerate improvement measures, classified into those for immediate effect and stepwise impact.
The company delineates its business segments into roles—Mechatronics and Industrial Machinery as growth drivers, Logistics & Construction as stable revenue sources, and Energy & Lifeline for future growth prospects. Four key investment areas have been identified: robotics and automation, semiconductor production, advanced medical equipment, and responses to environmental and energy challenges, setting the course for business development and societal contributions.
In preparation for 2030, the company is diligently reforming its business portfolio. It's focused on capital efficiency and market growth potential, identifying which business sectors will drive growth, require further development, maintain stability, or need strategic rebuilding—adjusting investment priorities accordingly.
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Hello, everyone. I am Shinji Shimomura, President of the company. Thank you very much for participating in today's financial results briefing. The company announced its financial results for the second quarter of FY 2023 at 3:00 p.m. today on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The following is a description of its contents.
Today's explanation covers these 5 items. I will provide an overview of the second quarter of FY '23 financial results and FY '23 forecasts and then discuss the topics and sustainability initiatives. Also, in Chapter 5, I will explain the direction of the next medium-term management plan starting in FY '24.
First, let's take a look at the overview of the second quarter of FY '23 financial results. Our fiscal year-end was changed in FY '22, and in this document, figures for FY '22 have been adjusted to allow comparison with the current period. Regarding market conditions by region, the Japanese market generally showed weakness. While overseas, there was a gradual economic recovery, especially in North America.
Meanwhile, in China, the recovery in production and consumption was sluggish and demand was on a downward trend. In addition, there was still a high level of uncertainty due primarily to the following reasons: prices remained at a high level, the supply-demand tightness persisted for some procured goods and the geopolitical landscape continued to pose risks, such as the issue between Russia and Ukraine.
Under these circumstances, during the second quarter of FY '23, the company received orders totaling JPY 512.7 billion, achieved net sales of JPY 510.1 billion and generated operating profit of JPY 30.7 billion. When compared with the same period of the previous fiscal year, orders decreased due to a drop in demand for semiconductor-related products and a reduction in energy-related projects.
For Energy & Lifeline, sales decreased due to a timing difference in the progress of some construction projects. However, for the other segments, the order backlog led to sales increases. As a result, overall sales increased. Although there was an increase in selling and administrative expenses and a decline in sales in Energy & Lifeline, operating profit rose due to an increase in sales of mechatronics and hydraulic excavators and a favorable change in the exchange rate.
Here is the financial summary. Current profit showed little change from the previous fiscal year, staying at JPY 22.5 billion. As a result, there is no change to the interim dividends for the first half, and we will pay a dividend of JPY 60 per share.
Here are the results by segment. Details of each segment will be explained later. This is a comparison of operating profit with the previous fiscal year. Positive factors are sales increases and foreign exchange effects resulting from the weaker yen. On the other hand, negative factors include an increase in selling and administrative expenses.
Next is the balance sheet. Total assets are JPY 1,203.5 billion. Major factors for changes are as noted. Next is the cash flow statement. Cash flows from operating activities were JPY 20.9 billion due to an increase in working capital. Cash flows from investing activities turned negative due to continued investment, resulting in free cash flows of negative JPY 0.5 billion.
Next, I will explain the earnings forecast for FY '23. Taking into consideration the results for the first half, our full year forecast for FY '23 have been revised to orders of JPY 1.055 trillion, net sales of JPY 1.075 trillion and operating profit of JPY 64 billion. Compared with the previous forecast, orders will decrease mainly in Industrial Machinery due partly to the continuation of the Chinese market slowdown and a delay in recovery of semiconductor-related markets, although the North American market is strong.
Sales will increase partly because progress is made in resolving production constraints in Logistics & Construction. Although operating profit is expected to be positively affected by sales increases, the forecast for operating profit is JPY 64 billion. This is due partly to a persistent rise in prices of procured products for some models.
In addition, the initial forecast for dividends has not been revised, and the dividend for FY '23 is expected to be JPY 120 with a payout ratio of 38.7%. ROIC is 6.0%. This is a comparison of operating profit with the previous fiscal year. Compared with the initial forecast, there will be a favorable change in the exchange rate, but selling and administrative expenses will become a negative factor.
Next, our forecast for orders, net sales and operating profit by segment. Details of each segment will be explained on the following pages. First, Mechatronics. In the first half of fiscal year '23, orders decreased because demand for gear reducers and motors was sluggish due to inventory adjustment by customers in the United States and Europe and a slowdown in the Chinese market.
Sales and operating profit increased because of a backlog of orders. Orders for fiscal year '23 will vary depending on the regions and models but remain almost unchanged from the previous fiscal year. Sales and operating profit will increase because of a huge backlog of orders.
The second page of each segment shows the 6-year trend of orders, net sales and operating profit as reference information. In Mechatronics, sales composition by model is shown for the gear reducer business. There is no significant change in sales composition compared to the previous period.
Then let's turn to Industrial Machinery. In the first half of FY '23, orders for plastics machinery decreased due to sluggish demand for electric and electronic products in China and investment cooling in Japan and Europe. Sales increased because of a backlog of orders, but operating profit decrease due in part to a continuous increase in prices of materials.
For FY '23, it is anticipated that the market conditions will gradually improve starting from the second half, but orders, sales and operating profit will all decrease. In the first half of FY '23, orders and other businesses declined due partly to inventory adjustment and investment postponement by customers, which were caused by the softening of semiconductor market conditions. Sales and operating profit increased because the backlogged orders, which were at a high level, were shipped smoothly.
For FY '23, orders will decrease because customers continue to adjust their inventory. However, sales and operating profit will increase due to a backlog of orders. Based on the above, the Industrial Machinery segment for the full fiscal year of 2023 is expected to experience a decrease in orders compared to the previous period but an increase in sales and a decrease in operating profit.
For Industrial Machinery, sales of injection molding machines by segment and orders and sales of ion implanters are shown. There is no significant change in sales composition of injection molding machines compared to the previous period.
Next is Logistics & Construction. In the first half of FY '23, orders for hydraulic excavators decreased due to a reactionary drop from advanced orders in the United States, but sales and operating profit increase due to a huge backlog of orders in Japan and other regions. In FY '23, orders will decrease due to a large reactionary drop from advanced orders in the United States.
Although demand is strong in Japan, sales will increase as progress is made in resolving production constraints on procured products. Operating profit will be affected by a rise in prices of materials but improve. In the first half of FY '23, orders and sales and other businesses increased because demand for mobile cranes was strong in North America. Operating profit decreased due to a rise in prices of materials.
For industrial cranes, orders decreased due to a reduction in service projects, but sales increased because there was a backlog of orders. Operating profit decreased due to a change in the model configuration. In FY '23, orders, sales and operating profit will decline as the industrial crane business will decline.
Based on the above, the Logistics & Construction segment for the full fiscal year of 2023 is expected to experience a decrease in orders compared to the previous period, but increases in sales and operating profit. In addition to demand for hydraulic excavators by region, the Logistics & Construction page provides information on industrial and mobile cranes. Demand for hydraulic excavators by region in FY '23 will remain almost flat compared to FY '22, with the exception of China and Europe.
Finally, let's look at Energy & Lifeline. In the first half of FY '23, the energy plant business experienced a decline in orders, sales and operating profit. This was attributable to a reduction in large-scale projects for biomass-fueled power generation plants in Japan. For other businesses, orders, sales and operating profit all decreased because the general waste treatment business was transferred in the previous fiscal year.
In FY '23, the energy plant business will see an increase in orders because of an uptick in demand for large-scale projects for biomass-fueled power generation plants outside of Japan. Sales will decrease due to a timing difference in the progress of projects in Japan. Operating profit will increase as the trend of declining project profitability in Europe is halted. For other businesses, orders will decrease because of a reduction in the number of newly built vessels. Sales will also decrease, but operating profit will improve.
Based on the above, the Energy & Lifeline segment for the full fiscal year of 2023 is expected to experience a decline in orders and sales compared to the previous period, but an increase in operating profit. Here are changes in the results of Energy & Lifeline.
Next, I would like to discuss the topics for the first half of FY '23. First, our automotive body frame production system, STAF, won 2 awards. Progress is being made in mounting the STAF system on actual cars of a North America-based electronic vehicle manufacturer. Riding the current trend toward electronic vehicles, we will proceed with sales activity so that the STAF system will be incorporated in more equipment and facilities in the future.
The second topic is about development activities in the nuclear medicine field. we have made an investment in Alpha Fusion Inc., which is promoting the practical use of new drugs. We provide accelerator technology to contribute to the development of nuclear medicine treatment.
Moving on, I will introduce our efforts for sustainability. As a result of our efforts for information disclosure in the medium-term management plan 2023, the company has been selected in the FTSE Blossom Japan Index for the first time.
The ESG topics are as noted. As for initiatives related to the environment, we started construction of a commercial demonstration plan for the energy storage system, LAES. The following pages provide information on the construction of a new technology research center and human rights due diligence.
The concept of the new technology research center is space for innovation. A place of interaction for people from within and outside the company will be set up. In terms of our environmental efforts, we obtained the ZEB-Ready certification for our buildings, indicating a 50% reduction in energy consumption. We will take measures to enhance safety and disaster prevention functions with a focus on BCP.
Next, let's take a look at our initiatives for society. The company conducted a survey on work environments of approximately 200 foreign technical intern trainees that belong to the group. We are making improvements one-by-one for the identified issues.
Let's move on to governance. In the discussions concerning the next medium-term management plan, we are devoting time to deliberating on the optimum portfolio and capital costs and engaging in multiple rounds of debates. In addition, we will move forward with strengthening the supervisory function of the Board of Directors.
Finally, I would like to provide an explanation about the direction of the next medium-term management plan that starts in FY '24. The next medium-term management plan starting in FY '24 is being formulated and is regarded as a 3-year plan that follows the medium-term management plan 2023 and aims to achieve the ideal state in 2030.
Our hope is that disclosure to the public as early as possible of our policies and direction to achieve the ROIC management with more emphasis on capital costs and shareholder value will allow you to deepen your understanding of those policies and direction. This time, according to such idea, I would like to explain our goals to achieve in 2030, with a focus on ROIC.
The medium-term management plan is positioned as a phase to establish a business portfolio for solving social issues in order to achieve the ideal state in 2030. Through these initiatives, we will build a robust entity.
These are target values for 2030. We have set financial goals to secure an operating profit of JPY 130.0 billion and an ROIC of 10% or higher by 2030. While strengthening the revenue basis for the existing businesses, we will expand the key investment areas based on core technologies in the 4 segments, thereby aiming to create new value and improve corporate value. Nonfinancial goals include reducing environmental burdens and solving material sustainability issues in the respective areas of E, S and G.
In 1999, we introduced the ROIC as a management indicator to promote management with a greater focus on the balance sheet. While aiming to ensure that the ROIC continuously surpasses the WACC, we have conducted business restructuring and portfolio reshuffling. This approach remains unchanged even now.
The goal of the ROIC management is to achieve both profit growth and the ROIC surpassing the WACC. Since the medium-term management plan 2016, we have achieved top line growth by making active investments, but this has not led to profit growth and the ROIC is lackluster. This time, we will set targets for the ROIC and operating profit, with a greater focus on improving shareholder value and corporate value.
Next, I will discuss ROIC targets by segment. Segmenting them helps to clarify the issues that each business needs to address. Segments that require urgent improvement are Mechatronics and Energy & Lifeline.
In terms of Mechatronics, upfront investments have not contributed to profits and the recent ROIC is lackluster. However, Mechatronics is normally a segment that drives our growth. While continuing to invest in robotics and automation fields, we will proceed with recovering past investments and improve the ROIC to match the WACC level.
For Energy & Lifeline, the ROIC is in a state of stagnation due partly to a change in the market structure. However, we will work on commercialization of new energy technologies and energy recovery and storage technologies, thereby driving growth in the future.
Then we will review the current assessment and improvement measures based on an ROIC tree. Positive results have been attained in terms of top line growth, expansion of semiconductor-related businesses, et cetera. However, it will take time to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, production constraints, inflation and other issues and earn profits from new businesses and businesses with growth potential.
Strengthening profitability is a key issue. Improvement measures are divided into ones that can yield quick results and ones that take time to yield results. We will accelerate measures with a focus on the ROIC by segment.
Let's now proceed to discuss the roles and direction by segments. This page clarifies the roles and positioning of the 4 segments. With Mechatronics and Industrial Machinery regarded as segments that drive growth with high profitability, Logistics & Construction as a fundamental segment that secures stable revenue, and Energy & Lifeline as a segment to be developed for future growth. We will expand key investment areas and aim to achieve goals.
I would now like to explain key investment areas. We have set up 4 key investment areas with a focus on core products created using our core technologies, thereby working to solve social issues. This slide pertains to the robotics and automation fields. The Mechatronics and Logistics & Construction segments covering electric control, actuators, robots, logistics and construction and machinery, et cetera, play a major role in those fields.
Next is the semiconductor field. The semiconductor field is an important field that supports a digital society. In the case of the company, the Industrial Machinery and Mechatronics segments pertain to ion implanters, cryopumps, laser-annealing equipment, et cetera, and play a major role in such field.
Next, we will delve into the advanced medical equipment field. In the advanced medical equipment field, we offer cancer treatment devices using proton and neutron beams, apparatuses related to pet diagnostic drugs and other medical equipment. The industry machinery segment covering advanced medical equipment plays a major role in such field.
The fourth category is the environment and energy fields. Response to climate change and realization of a sustainable society are a part of issues that need to be addressed promptly. The Energy & Lifeline segment offering a wide range of environment and energy-related products, including CFB boilers, water treatment devices, et cetera, play a major role in those fields.
To finish up, let's look at the positioning of businesses. We will push forward the reform of our business portfolio with a vision for 2030 in mind, with a focus on capital efficiency and market growth potential. Our businesses are divided into businesses that drive growth, businesses to be developed that may play a central role in the next generation, businesses that serve as a stable revenue base, and businesses whose strategies are to be rebuilt.
The upper 2 categories with high market growth potential are selected as our active and key investment areas to drive company-wide growth. The following pages are for reference only and will not be explained.