Technology

Computime Announces FY23/24 Annual Results

Published

6 months ago

June 28, 2024

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

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/computime-announces-fy2324-annual-results-302185500.html

SOURCE Computime Group Limited

Technology

CNN rings in 2025 from across the Asia Pacific, culminating with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen in New York

Published

35 minutes ago

December 23, 2024

HONG KONG, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — CNN is gearing up for another unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration, leading its global audience into 2025 with music, laughter, and live coverage from around the world. At 7:00 AM ET, CNN kicks off its live reporting from various international cities as they ring in the new year in the Asia Pacific, with Kristie Lu Stout anchoring live from Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong starting at 9:00 AM ET/10:00 PM HKT to 12:00 PM ET/1:00 AM HKT. The festivities will culminate with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen co-hosting CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen from New York City’s Times Square for an eighth consecutive year.

CNN’s line-up of international correspondents will also make appearances during the broadcast, including Lynda Kinkade from Luna Park in Sydney, Hanako Montgomery in glittering Tokyo, Mike Valerio from the iconic Bosingak Belfry in the heart of Seoul and Will Ripley overlooking the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

Joining our correspondents will be a star-studded line-up of guests from across the worlds of entertainment, fashion, arts and sports. Kristie Lu Stout has a full slate with Marie Kondo, Japanese “professional tidier”, organization expert and Konmari founder, Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, Chinese-American fashion designer Vivienne Tam, the Philippines’ double gold medalist, Carlos Yulo, viral Japanese dance troupe Avantgardey, Pakistani actor and filmmaker Usman Mukhtar, Indian-American comic Zarna Garg, and Panda keeper at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park, Matt Leung.

In Australia, Lynda Kinkade chats with music legend Sting, Colin Hay from 80’s band Men at Work, fashion designer Rebecca Vallance, and actress and voice of Chilli from Bluey, Melanie Zanetti.

Thailand will provide the backdrop as Will Ripley talks to international rapper, singer, dancer and style icon, LISA, Chinese-American double gold medalist in freestyle skiing, Eileen Gu, Pakistani actress Hania Aamir and Taiwanese-American drag performer and winner of season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Nymphia Wind.

From Japan, Hanako Montgomery speaks with K-pop superstar, TAEYANG, Japanese comedian Naomi Watanabe and Japanese two-time Olympic gold medalist skateboarder, Yuto Horigome, while in Korea, Mike Valerio interviews Indonesian all-female rock trio, Voice of Baceport.

CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen begins at 8:00 PM ET, with music, comedy and some surprise guests, including Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, live from his residency at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Meghan Trainor, Shania Twain, Diplo, Lil Jon, Mickey Guyton who will perform “Imagine” live from Times Square, Patti LaBelle, and comedians Whitney Cummings, Amy Sedaris, Sasheer Zamata, Ziwe, Adam Devine, and more.

CNN’s New Year’s Eve coverage will stream live on Max for subscribers and on CNN.com, CNN connected TV and mobile apps for pay TV subscribers.

About CNN Worldwide

CNN Worldwide is the most honored brand in cable news, reaching more individuals through television, streaming and online than any other cable news organization in the United States. Globally, people across the world can watch CNN International, which is widely distributed in over 200 countries and territories. CNN Digital is the #1 online news destination, with more unique visitors than any other news source. Max, Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platform, features CNN Max, a 24/7 streaming news offering available to subscribers alongside expanded access to News content and CNN Originals. CNN’s award-winning portfolio includes non-scripted programming from CNN Original Series and CNN Films for broadcast, streaming and distribution across multiple platforms. CNN programming can be found on CNN, CNN International and CNN en Español channels, via CNN Max and the CNN Originals hub on discovery+ and via pay TV subscription on CNN.com, CNN apps and cable operator platforms. Additionally, CNN Newsource is the world’s most extensively utilized news service partnering with over 1,000 local and international news organizations around the world. CNN is a division of Warner Bros. Discovery.

About Warner Bros. Discovery

Warner Bros. Discovery is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of branded content across television, film, streaming and gaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, Max, discovery+, CNN, DC, TNT Sports, Eurosport, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/cnn-rings-in-2025-from-across-the-asia-pacific-culminating-with-anderson-cooper-and-andy-cohen-in-new-york-302338158.html

SOURCE CNN International

Technology

Incheon’s Bold Return to CES 2025: Pioneering Tomorrow’s Smart Cities

Published

35 minutes ago

December 23, 2024

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ) will make a strong comeback at CES 2025, which will be held from January 7 to 10 in Las Vegas. Under the theme “Urban Renaissance: Building Tomorrow’s Smart Cities Today,” IFEZ will showcase its smart city vision and highlight cutting-edge technologies from 41 innovative companies.

The Incheon-IFEZ pavilion in the AI Zone of the North Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center will spotlight ten leading Incheon-based startups specializing in AI, urban tech, and smart city solutions. Beyond the pavilion, ten companies will join the Eureka Park Korea Pavilion, six will exhibit at the Global Pavilion, and 15 more will participate as part of a broader delegation.

This extensive representation underscores Incheon’s emergence as a tech innovation hub, reflecting its global ambitions and technological prowess.

The Incheon-IFEZ pavilion promises to be more than just an exhibition space. It will transform into a dynamic networking hub where global business leaders, investors, and innovators can explore potential collaborations with Incheon-based companies.

The pavilion’s first major event, the Unveiled Incheon Media Stage, will introduce IFEZ’s forward-thinking smart city vision to international media outlets on January 7. All Connected Incheon Night will bring together global investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to foster meaningful partnerships that evening.

The momentum continues on January 8 with the IFEZ Tech Talk, featuring industry giants like LG Electronics, Lotte Innovate, and the Stanford Center at Incheon Global Campus. They will present insights into IFEZ’s smart city projects and innovation initiatives.

On January 9, the spotlight will shift to the IFEZ Showcase, a pitching competition where Incheon’s top startups will present their groundbreaking technologies to over 30 global venture capital investors. This event aims to secure international partnerships and expand market reach.

IFEZ’s continued participation at CES reflects its commitment to driving global innovation. Established in 2003 as South Korea’s first free economic zone, IFEZ encompasses Songdo, Yeongjong, and Cheongna. Designed to stimulate economic growth, its advanced infrastructure and prime location have made it a thriving business hub over the past two decades.

By participating in CES 2025, IFEZ reaffirms its dedication to fostering innovation and connecting visionary startups with the global market. The official CES 2025 Incheon-IFEZ website, www.ces2025-ifez.com, provides more details.

Media and Interview Contact

Don Southerton, CES 2025 Incheon-IFEZ
Dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com
+1 310-866-3777

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/incheons-bold-return-to-ces-2025-pioneering-tomorrows-smart-cities-302338167.html

SOURCE The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority

Technology

ANTA Unveils ANTAZERO UPCYCLE Collection

Published

35 minutes ago

December 23, 2024

Shanghai’s Iconic Wukang Road Hosts the Industry’s First Sustainable Sports Fashion Extravaganza

SHANGHAI, Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ANTA captivated audiences with a groundbreaking sustainable sports showcase on Shanghai’s iconic Wukang Road, debuting the ANTAZERO UPCYCLE collection. Co-conceived with the sustainability platform canU and renowned Chinese creative visionaries, the collection reimagines ANTA’s surplus inventory into elevated, eco-forward designs. Melding artistry with environmental responsibility, the event underscores ANTA’s trailblazing commitment to sustainable innovation.

Set against the backdrop of ANTA’s Zero-Carbon Mission Store at 98 Wukang Road, the unconventional runway blurred boundaries between fashion, sports, and daily life. Models and influencers brought the upcycled collection to life, embodying dynamic looks for diverse scenarios—from skiing and cycling to city walk, ageless style, and pet-friendly ensembles. The spirited procession spilled into the streets, inviting onlookers to witness the harmonious fusion of sustainability, inclusivity, and sports-inspired aesthetics.

The ANTAZERO UPCYCLE collection represents a pioneering collaboration with canU and four Chinese design luminaries, each infusing their unique vision into ANTA’s inventory. The canU platform’s ethos of weaving sports into everyday life is reflected throughout the collection; CHENPENG crafts bold expressions of environmental themes using surplus down materials; SANKUANZ revitalizes inventory pieces with experimental spray-painting, breathing new emotion into existing fabrics; MEGARMENTS celebrates ANTA’s basketball heritage with intricate upcycled craftsmanship; and KAIKAI explores the aspirational ideal of 100% recycled design, pushing the boundaries of sustainability. Through their innovation, dormant inventory was transformed into wearable art, embodying a circular tenor of creativity and resourcefulness.

ANTA CEO Xu Yang has articulated a clear vision: green principles must evolve into green growth engines to achieve lasting commercial sustainability. The newly unveiled ANTAZERO UPCYCLE collection exemplifies this philosophy, repurposing surplus garments and fabrics into mass-producible, market-ready designs. By minimizing energy-intensive processes such as weaving and dyeing, the collection marries environmental responsibility with fresh, contemporary aesthetics. Offering consumers innovative, eco-conscious lifestyle choices, it underscores the seamless integration of sustainability into business strategy. As Cui Dan, ANTA’s sustainability advisor and founder of the canU sustainable platform, aptly noted, “Only when brands and industries translate sustainability into tangible products can consumers truly recognize its value.”

The ANTAZERO UPCYCLE collection is now available at ANTA’s Zero-Carbon Mission Store and via the ANTA WeChat Mini Program, providing consumers with access to a new era of sustainable fashion.

Since inaugurating its Zero-Carbon Mission Store on Earth Day, April 22, ANTA has actively celebrated global sustainability milestones, including World Oceans Day and International Panda Day. Through immersive art installations, curated exhibitions, and interactive events, ANTA has collaborated with media outlets, industry partners, and its consumer base to champion eco-consciousness. The launch of the ANTAZERO UPCYCLE collection and the resounding success of the sustainable sports fashion show serve as a crowning achievement in ANTA’s year-long sustainability efforts, addressing global environmental challenges while spotlighting the ingenuity and responsibility of Chinese sports brands.

As part of its ambitious goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, ANTA continues to pioneer sustainable solutions across product development and retail operations. According to its 2023 ESG report, nearly 20% of ANTA Group’s products are now sustainable, driven by continuous advancements in eco-friendly materials and innovative design. The brand remains dedicated to mainstreaming sustainable consumption, delivering products that seamlessly blend style, functionality, and environmental stewardship.

In 2024, ANTA Group retained its top position in China’s sports industry on the “Green Supply Chain CITI Index”, published by the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE), for the second consecutive year. Looking ahead, ANTA reaffirms its commitment to sustainability, leveraging innovation to fuel green growth. By offering sustainable products and services to a global audience and spearheading the eco-transformation of its supply chain, ANTA is forging a path toward a low-carbon future in collaboration with consumers and partners alike.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/anta-unveils-antazero-upcycle-collection-302338169.html

SOURCE ANTA Group