STRONG START: All the fixed prices in newly signed contracts are either equal to or slightly higher than those in the firm’s existing contracts, chairwoman Doris Hsu said

Taipei Times
Date: Mar 20, 2019
By: Lisa Wang  /  Staff reporter

GlobalWafers Co (環球晶圓), the world’s No. 3 silicon wafer supplier, yesterday said that net profits last year soared to an all-time high, thanks to vibrant customer demand and a price rebound.

Net profits surged 160 percent to NT$13.64 billion (US$442.31 million) from NT$5.28 billion in 2017, while earnings per share jumped to NT$31.18 from NT$12.68 in 2017, GlobalWafers said, adding that gross margin rose to a historical high of 37.8 percent from 25.6 percent.

“In addition to very strong market demand, I think long-term agreement policy is one of the main factors contributing to the company’s overall performance last year,” chairwoman Doris Hsu (徐秀蘭) told an investors’ conference.

GlobalWafers has honored every long-term agreement with every customer and no breach of contract has occurred, Hsu said in a bid to quell concern over clients reportedly planning to negotiate down prices amid a semiconductor slowdown.    [FULL  STORY]