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Computime Announces FY23/24 Annual Results

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Profit After Tax Recorded a 5-year-high at HK$83.9 Million

EBITDA Increased by 41.9% to HK$340.9 Million

The Board Proposes a Final Dividend of HK$0.05 

Financial Highlights

For the year ended 31 March

FY2024
HK$ million

FY2023
HK$ million

Year-on-Year (“YoY”)

Change

Revenue

4,037.8

4,204.8

(4.0 %)

Gross profit

631.1

508.8

24.0 %

EBITDA(Note1)

340.9

240.2

41.9 %

Profit after tax

83.9

23.5

257.0 %

Proposed final dividend

HK$0.050

HK$0.021

138.1 %

Note 1: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (“EBITDA”)

HONG KONG, June 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A leading technology, brand, and manufacturing company and an enabler of smart and sustainable living, Computime Group Limited (the “Company” or “Computime”, together with its subsidiaries, collectively the “Group”; stock code: 320.HK) is pleased to announce its annual results for the year ended 31 March 2024 (the “Year” or “FY23/24” or “FY2024”). As the Group marks its 50th anniversary, we continue to demonstrate resilience and strategic foresight in the complex global landscape.

Results overview

The Group reported the revenue of HK$4,037.8 million for FY2024, a decrease of 4.0% from HK$4,204.8 million for the Year ended 31 March 2023 (“FY2023”), due to soft demand in the housing-related market and recession concerns in the Europe and North America. Despite the revenue decline, the gross profit margin improved to 15.6% in FY2024 from 13.4%[1] in FY2023, driven by enhanced operational efficiency, effective material management and favorable exchange rate environment.

The profit before tax increased by 242.7% to HK$107.6 million from HK$31.4 million in FY2023, while the profit after tax is reaching HK$83.9 million, representing 3 times of the profit after tax for FY2023 at HK$23.5 million. Additionally, the adjusted EBITDA[2] was recorded at HK$333.9 million, reflecting a 13.2% growth from HK$295.0 million in FY2023.

The Group’s cash and bank balances were HK$226.7 million as at 31 March 2024, while the net cash improved to HK$90.3 million as at 31 March 2024 from HK$84.3 as at 31 March 2023. The inventory balance decreased by 15.0% to HK$824.0 million, indicating better operational efficiency and material management.

Segment Review

The Control Solutions segment saw a revenue drop from HK$3,665.7 million in FY2023 to HK$3,601.0 million, a 1.8% YoY decrease due to weakened market demand and reduced consumer confidence. Despite the drop in revenue, profit margins improved significantly, driven by stable demand from long-term customer partnerships and integrated technology and manufacturing collaborations. Moving forward, the Group will implement a globalization strategy with a “region-to-region” approach, collaborating with customers to launch innovative product platforms. These efforts to foster strong customer relationships, expand our global footprint, and enhance operational productivity position the Control Solutions segment well to navigate market fluctuations and sustain profitability.

The Branded Business segment reported a revenue of HK$436.8 million for FY2024, a 19.0% decrease from FY2023, due to challenging market conditions and customer destocking. Despite these challenges, the Branded Business segment is poised for growth through strategic initiatives. We are expanding into Eastern Europe with a dedicated sales team and launching new platforms including Electric Vehicle chargers (“EVCs”), home battery storage solutions, Artificial Intelligence (“AI”)-driven climate control systems, Matter-compatible thermostats, and ultra-quiet Thermostatic Radiator Valves (“TRVs”). A major focus is the Salus Protect security service, targeting the security industry and enhancing our smart home offerings in the European market. Partnering with Securitas, it includes security hardware, smart home devices, and monitoring services under the brands Immunity and Merlin. Additionally, a new centralized warehouse in Poland will boost logistics and distribution efficiency, supporting regional growth.

Research and development (“R&D”)

Computime’s global R&D team of 200 engineers drives innovation across the Centers of Excellence in Mainland China, Hong Kong, the United States (“US”), Romania, and the United Kingdom (“UK”). Our commitment to technological advancement is reinforced through strategic partnerships and ownership in engineering firms, focusing on cloud technology. Collaboration among engineers in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and India enhances scalability and interoperability, leveraging diverse expertise to maintain our competitive edge in intelligent product development.

Outlook

Computime is leveraging AI and sustainability to drive a new era of expansion. With a global R&D team of 200 engineers and over 200 patents, we focus on energy and water management, using AI for significant efficiency gains. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Computime adopted a region-to-region model, establishing manufacturing hubs in Malaysia, Vietnam, Mexico and Romania to enhance supply chain resilience and meet rising demand in the US and European markets. The Group’s Branded Business segment anticipates increasing demand in 2024, with plans to expand our Salus smart home product line. Financial strategies include tighter expense control, a headcount freeze, and improved material efficiency, aiming to boost profitability and cash reserves. Computime remains dedicated to leading in smart and sustainable living technologies, adhering to Matter standards for enhanced interoperability and user experience.

Mr. Bernard AUYANG, Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Computime Group, commented, “As Computime celebrates its 50th anniversary, we reflect on our journey marked by innovation, resilience, and significant achievements. Our evolution from humble beginnings to a global leader in smart and sustainable living is a testament to our entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering determination. Looking ahead, we are committed to driving positive change through cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. Our vision is to democratize smart living, empowering communities worldwide to lead more connected, efficient, and environmentally conscious lives. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, integrity, and social responsibility, we are ready to shape the future for generations to come.”

[1] Excluding the specific inventory provision for Malaysia

[2] Excluding one-off gain on valuation of HK$7.0 million in the current year and the additional inventory provision for the Group’s Malaysia operation of HK$54.9 million in last year

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SOURCE Computime Group Limited

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G42 Collaborates with NVIDIA to Deliver Next-Generation Climate Solutions Using Earth-2

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — G42, a leader in AI and cloud computing, today announced that it is partnering with NVIDIA to advance climate technology with a focus on developing AI solutions aimed at dramatically enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasting globally.

The collaboration builds on NVIDIA’s Earth-2, an open platform that accelerates climate and weather predictions with interactive, AI-augmented, high-resolution simulation. G42 and NVIDIA will initially focus on a square-kilometer resolution weather forecasting model that improves the accuracy of meteorological predictions.

Key to this initiative is the establishment of a new operational base and Climate Tech Lab in Abu Dhabi. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for research and development, driving forward both companies’ commitment to environmental sustainability. This facility will also mobilize the creation of tailored climate and weather solutions that leverage over 100 petabytes of geophysical data assets.

Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, said, “This initiative with NVIDIA is a testament to our commitment to applying AI in ways that not only innovate but also solve critical global challenges. Establishing the Earth-2 Climate Tech Lab in Abu Dhabi allows us to leverage our unique capabilities and insights to foster a sustainable future for the world.”

In addition to fostering innovation in climate technology, the initiative will focus on building a robust framework for integrating enhanced weather prediction capabilities with comprehensive data metrics and visualization. This will assist organizations worldwide in achieving their sustainability goals through well-informed, data-driven environmental strategies.

“Our collaboration with G42 marks a pivotal step toward harnessing AI to understand and predict climate phenomena with unprecedented accuracy,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “The Earth-2 Climate Tech Lab will propel environmental solutions using the most advanced accelerated computing and AI technology to benefit millions of people around the world.”

By uniting G42’s AI expertise with NVIDIA’s computational acumen, this partnership aims to deliver transformative climate solutions that combine scientific accuracy with real-world applicability, driving impactful change across industries and ecosystems.

About G42

G42 is a technology holding group, a global leader in creating visionary artificial intelligence for a better tomorrow. Born in Abu Dhabi and operating worldwide, G42 champions AI as a powerful force for good across industries. From molecular biology to space exploration and everything in between, G42 realizes exponential possibilities, today.
To know more visit www.g42.ai.

Media contacts
Media and PR Team, G42
media@g42.ai

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/g42-collaborates-with-nvidia-to-deliver-next-generation-climate-solutions-using-earth-2-302253818.html

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Kawasaki and CB&I Sign Strategic Collaborative Agreement for Promoting Commercial-Use Liquefied Hydrogen Supply Chain

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HOUSTON, Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Kawasaki) and CB&I, a wholly owned unrestricted subsidiary of McDermott, announced today their signing of a strategic agreement for promoting a commercial-use liquefied hydrogen (LH2) supply chain and realizing a zero-carbon-emission society. The signing ceremony took place at Gastech Exhibition & Conference in Houston on September 18, 2024.

“We are very pleased for this opportunity to build and launch a commercial liquefied hydrogen supply chain in cooperation with CB&I,” said Motohiko Nishimura, President, Energy Solutions & Marine Engineering Company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. “By taking advantage of both companies’ strengths and specialized know-how, we aim to cost down hydrogen, strengthen hydrogen supply chain competitiveness, and accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon society.”

Both companies will use their specialized know-how to provide infrastructure that will enable commercial-scale international LH2 supply chains in order to help achieve carbon-neutrality. By leveraging our combined expertise to deliver large-scale LH2 infrastructure solutions, CB&I and Kawasaki are removing barriers, driving down costs and enhancing scalability across the entire supply chain.

“This strategic partnership represents a significant advancement in liquid hydrogen storage capabilities,” said Mark Butts, Senior Vice President of CB&I. “Our technical expertise and extensive experience in liquid hydrogen storage position us at the forefront of the energy transition, delivering reliable storage solutions and executing projects worldwide with proven success.”

Under this agreement, the companies will provide infrastructure to advance the global realization of a sustainable energy economy and meet decarbonization targets. This collaboration will reduce LH2 infrastructure costs and contribute to more widespread use of this clean and efficient energy source.

About CB&I
CB&I is the world’s leading designer and builder of storage facilities, tanks, and terminals. With more than 60,000 structures completed throughout its 130-year history, CB&I has the global expertise and strategically located operations to provide its customers world-class storage solutions for even the most complex energy infrastructure projects. CB&I is a wholly owned unrestricted subsidiary of McDermott. To learn more, visit www.cbi.com.

About McDermott
McDermott is a premier, fully-integrated provider of engineering and construction solutions to the energy industry. Our customers trust our technology-driven approach engineered to responsibly harness and transform global energy resources into the products the world needs. From concept to commissioning, McDermott’s innovative expertise and capabilities advance the next generation of global energy infrastructure—empowering a brighter, more sustainable future for us all. Operating in over 54 countries, McDermott’s locally-focused and globally-integrated resources include more than 30,000 employees, a diversified fleet of specialty marine construction vessels and fabrication facilities around the world. To learn more, visit www.mcdermott.com.

About Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. is general engineering manufacturer with over 125 years of experience manufacturing products spanning land, sea and air. Kawasaki established the Kawasaki Group’s new vision statement, “Group Vision 2030: Trustworthy Solutions for the Future,” and is focusing on three fields, “A Safe and Secure Remotely-Connected Society,” “Near-Future Mobility,” and “Energy and Environmental Solutions” in order to provide solutions for social issues. For “Energy and Environmental Solutions” in particular, by securing the technology necessary for the entire supply chain (for production, transportation, storage and utilization) ahead of the rest of the world, Kawasaki aims to bring about a society that utilizes hydrogen, the ultimate clean energy that emits no carbon dioxide when used. To learn more, visit https://global.kawasaki.com/en.

Forward-Looking Statements
McDermott cautions that statements in this communication which are forward-looking, and provide other than historical information, involve risks, contingencies and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about the expected benefits from the collaboration agreement discussed in this press release.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Those statements are made by using various underlying assumptions and are subject to numerous risks, contingencies and uncertainties, including, among others: adverse changes in the markets in which we operate or credit or capital markets; our inability to successfully execute on contracts in backlog; changes in project design or schedules; the availability of qualified personnel; changes in the terms, scope or timing of contracts, contract cancellations, change orders and other modifications and actions by our customers and other business counterparties; changes in industry norms; actions by lenders, other creditors, customers and other business counterparties of McDermott and adverse outcomes in legal or other dispute resolution proceedings. If one or more of these risks materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. This communication reflects the views of McDermott’s management as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, McDermott undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

For media inquiries, please use the contact information below:

Reba Reid
Global Media Relations
+1 281 588 5636
RReid@McDermott.com

Kristi Krupala-Grove
CB&I Media Relations
+1 346 313 9636
KKrupala2@mcdermott.com

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SOURCE McDermott International, Ltd

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Halal Route Application – Eat, Travel around Thailand, Safe and Sound Halal Style

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BANGKOK, Thailand, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Halal Science Center, Chulalongkorn University has developed Halal Route, an application that lists restaurants, lodging, mosques, prayer directions, and tourist attractions in Thailand under Islamic tourism principles. It hopes to help Muslim tourists travel in Thailand with peace of mind, and supports tourism industry operators to grow and welcome a growing number of Muslim tourists.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) predicts that in 2024 there will be around 168 million Islamic tourists worldwide.  According to the Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI 2024), Thailand is the 32nd most popular destination for Muslim tourists.  However, the major problem Muslim tourists encounter in Thailand is finding Halal-accredited restaurants, hotels, accommodations, or tourist attractions with service areas (such as prayer rooms) that are compliant with the Islamic way.

Halal Route” is a travel aggregator app that collects searchable information on Halal restaurants, mosques, prayer locations, times, and directions for prayers (the qibla), tourist attractions, Muslim villages or communities, hotels, accommodations, etc.  This app is linked to Google Maps for navigation with precision. It also supports 3 languages, Thai, English, and Arabic, so that Muslim tourists can live and travel more comfortably and with peace of mind,” said Mr.Erfun Weahama, Science Service Officer, Halal Route App development team.

Dr. Anat Denyingyot, Assistant Director of the Halal Science Center, emphasized that the Halal Route application has the most reliable and comprehensive information on halal tourism in Thailand today. “All restaurants and locations have had on-site visits and are audited according to standards approved by a trusted authority or organization, such as certifications from religious organizations or halal food-related entities, as well as management systems to guarantee and be responsible for halal conditions (the HAL-Q system),” Dr. Anat assured.

Currently, the application has more than 1,100 restaurants in its database, and new locations and services are being updated, covering more than 40 provinces from north to south of Thailand that are popular among tourists.

Halal Route is not only for navigation, but a platform that connects Muslim communities from around the world who have the opportunity to visit Thailand,” Associate Professor Dr.Winai Dahlan, Director of the Halal Science Center concluded.

The Halal Route application is free to download on both iOS and Android systems.

Read the full article at https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/185916/  

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SOURCE Chulalongkorn University

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