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O-Net Communications Achieved Business Turnaround in 2H 2013(JCN Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Hong Kong, Mar 20, 2014 - (ACN Newswire) - O-Net Communications (Group) Limited ("O-Net Communications" or the "Group") (stock code: 877), a leading supplier of passive optical networking subcomponents, components, modules and subsystems used in high-speed telecommunications and data communications networking systems, achieved profitable results for the year ended 31 December 2013 ("FY2013").The Group achieved business turnaround in the second half of 2013 ("2H2013") as the global telecommunications market gradually recovered. Revenue of 2H2013 was HK$404.9 million, representing a 57.8% rise compared to the first half of 2013. The growth was mainly attributable to the Group's efforts in strengthening leadership in the optical component market through enhanced coverage of key customers, as well as revenue contribution from the new automation business. 2H2013 gross profit margin rose to 33.5% (1H2013: 29.6%). The Group also returned to profitability during 2H2013 with a net profit of HK$36.2 million, thus it was able to achieve a profitable annual results. For FY2013, the Group's revenue totaled HK$661.5 million (2012: HK$727.4 million), with gross profit margin at 32.0% (2012: 41.3%) as the Group adopted a competitive pricing strategy for its products. Profit attributable to equity holders was HK$13.4 million, while non-GAAP net profit was HK$30.2 million.The Group's cash position remained strong with more than HK$456.9 million in cash as at 31 December 2013, as it maintained a strong operating cash inflow of HK$37.3 million during FY2013.Mr Austin Na, Co-Chairman and CEO of O-Net Communications, said, "We are glad to see that O-Net has grown stronger during the year against the volatile market conditions. The group continued to enhance R&D capability for a strong product pipeline including next-generation active products for telecoms and data-communications markets, and our market share continued to grow. At the same time, we have tapped into automation business which has achieved initial success and generated revenue contribution. We are in a better position to capture market opportunities arising."Business ReviewStrengthened R&D Capability for Next Generation Optical Networking Products. The Group continued to invest in R&D to ensure sustainable growth of its core optical networking business. As a result of enhanced R&D efforts, new technologies were developed and a series of high-growth next-generation active products for telecommunications and data-communications markets are under development which expanded the Group's portfolio from traditional optical component market to cover access and datacom market by subsystems, active optical components and modules. The Group has also partnered with renowned overseas companies to facilitate the development such as partnered with VIS from Germany to develop proprietary high speed optical interconnects, and also cooperated with a Canadian company, ArtIC Photonics, Inc., to develop proprietary photonic integrated circuit chips. Automated New Plant Ensures Higher Efficiency and Capacity. The Group has established a new manufacturing facility in Pingshan, Shenzhen with an area of 100,000m2. The highly automated new plant not only enhanced the operational efficiency, but also provided more capacity to support new business development such as automation. Seize the Huge Opportunities in Automation Industry. Commenced in 2012, the automation business has started to contribute revenue of HK$7.5 million in FY2013 with a satisfactory gross profit margin of 39.5%. The Group has started to deliver customized high value-added automation equipment to electronic cigarette, mobile phone and home appliance manufacturers. In addition, the automation business division has developed automation equipment for producing heating coils and began to supply the heating coils produced by these equipment to the electronic cigarette makers in China from the last quarter of 2013. As a results, the Group has quickly established itself as a leading supplier of automation solutions for the electronic cigarette manufacturers in one-year's time. ProspectsOptical Networking Business on Fast Track Riding on Bright Industry Outlook. The optical components market is expected to reach its historic peak at US$10.5 billion in 2018. This is driven by the continued strong demand for 40G and 100G components and modules to support increasing data traffic and new cloud-based service opportunities. Strong market outlook favors the growth of O-Net as a key industry player. Leveraging its core strengths in R&D capability and world-class talents, the Group will start to deliver a series of high-growth next-generation active products for telecom and data-com markets within 2014 to further strengthen its market leadership and boost margins.Diversification Fuels Business Growth. The Group is positive that the automation business will continue to grow as the domestic manufacturing industries are in transition to cope with rising labour costs and recruitment difficulties. It generated great demand for automation equipment delivering high value. The Group will continue to dedicate resources on identified industries, as well as to develop standard products for different automated production systems with intelligence camera in the pipeline. In addition, apart from supplying heating coils, the Group also aims to become a leading supplier of components and automation solutions in the electronic-cigarette industry as the potential size of the electronic cigarettes market is anticipated to reach more than 10% of the total tobacco industry by 2020, which shall help drive the Group's business growth in the near future. At the same time, following the set up a joint venture with OPDI Technologies A/S, the Group will explore opportunities in the fast growing touch panel business.The first-generation sample touch panel is expected to be completed by 2014 and the joint venture is anticipated to generate income from overseas customers this year. Together with other potential areas, the Group is confident that new businesses will help to broaden income stream and improve profitability in the near future as well as in the longer term.Mr Na concluded, "Looking forward, we will continue to bolster our efforts to develop innovative products with an aim to enhance O-Net's competitiveness in the optical networking industry. Meanwhile, with the initial success in the automation business, we will dedicate more resources in identified high-growth market segments, targeting at a well diversified revenue structure. Through innovation and diversification, the Group's business will achieve sustainable and balanced growth for the best interest of our shareholders."About O-Net Communications (Group) Limited O-Net Communications (Group) Limited, with headquarters in Shenzhen, was listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 29 April 2010. It is a leading supplier of passive optical networking subcomponents, components, modules and subsystems used in high-speed telecommunications and data communications network systems. To broaden the product offerings through innovation and diversification, the Group started the research and development ("R&D") of certain active optical networking products used in the next generation telecommunication and data-communication systems. The Group has a high quality client base including Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei as well as contract manufacturers to Ciena and Infinera. Building on its unique vertically integrated business model, the Group designs, manufactures and delivers cost-competitive customised products and solutions based upon individual customers' product needs and specifications. Apart from strengthening the core optical networking businesses, the Group adopted a new strategy "Diversity for Growth" and identified certain new businesses included automation and touch panel with an aim to become a leading high-tech company.Contact: Strategic Financial Relations Limited Heidi So +852 2864 4826 [email protected] Maggie Au +852 2864 4815 [email protected] Agnes Luo +852 2864 4851 [email protected] Fax: +852 2527 1196 / 2804 2789 Copyright 2014 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. |