Presentation Q&A

Last Updated:Nov. 4, 2020

(Oct. 29, 2020)

Financial Results and Progress under the Management Plan for the 2Q of FY2020

About conditions in the three strategic fields of the HPP Company and other matters

Q
(Pages 9 and 16 of the presentation slides) What factors led to 2Q sales in the Mobility field substantially exceeding plans?
A

In addition to conditions in the global automobile market exceeding assumptions, sales trends are attributed to the upswing in new applications focusing on high-performance interlayer films. We believe this is the result of ongoing sales activities.

  • *HPP Company:High Performance Plastics Company
Q
What is the background and timing behind the increase in market share in high-performance interlayer films?
A

There have been some instances where our products were adopted at the same time as the switchover to new models. Once again, this is the result of past sales activities.

Q
(Pages 9 and 16 of the presentation slides) As far as 4Q net sales in the Mobility field are concerned, will you be able to achieve plans to exceed the previous year's level excluding the contributions from companies newly included in the scope of consolidation?
A

In the 4Q last year, the manufacture of automobiles in China had already been suspended. The production of automobiles in Europe and the U.S. had also declined considerably in March. Taking these factors into account, our plans are based on the assumption that the number of automobiles manufactured in the 4Q of this year will essentially return to the same levels reported last year.

Q
(Page 17 of the presentation slides) While sales of products for the Non-LCD field are expanding, what are your plans in light of such factors as the impact of regulations imposed by the U.S. on China in the Electronics field?
A

While sales of products for the Non-LCD field expanded steadily up to the 2Q, we expect export restrictions imposed by the U.S. on China will have some impact in the 2H. While anticipating a decline in demand from certain customers, especially for heat release materials for 5G base stations, we do not see a serious impact so long as there is no downturn in overall demand with orders from other customers actually increasing.

Q
How much do you expect sales of heat release materials will increase in the fiscal year under review?
A

We project sales to climb around 50% compared with the previous year mainly for 5G base stations.

About aircraft-related business conditions

Q
(Pages 16 and 28 of the presentation slides) Looking at the aircraft-related business results of other companies, a large number are reporting a drop in sales from the 2Q. Can you tell us about the Company's results and plans?
A

As far as SEKISUI AEROSPACE CORPORATION's earnings in the HPP Company are concerned, we believe that the accuracy of current plans is high. Our plans are based on the assumption that demand will be slightly lower than the production rates of customer companies announced around the end of July, including Boeing, a principal customer. In the UIEP Company's aircraft-related sheet business, plans are in line with the facility operating rates of direct seat manufacturing customers.

  • *UIEP Company:Urban Infrastructure & Environmental Products Company
Q
(Pages 16 and 28 of the presentation slides) It appears that aircraft-related businesses are undertaking various streamlining, production structure optimization, and other measures. Can you provide specific details?
A

A. In line with plans, SEKISUI AEROSPACE CORPORATION is looking to complete the consolidation of three factories in the State of Washington in the U.S. into two factories by the end of the fiscal year under review. As far as the sheet business is concerned, a review of certain development and sales operations, focusing mainly on production base optimization in the U.S., was completed as of the end of the 1H. Moving forward, steps will be taken to shift management resources to medical- and railway-related fields.

Q
(Pages 16 of the presentation slides) What are your thoughts on the risk of impairment of SEKISUI AEROSPACE CORPORATION's goodwill and intangible non-current assets? No steps have been taken to revise downward the Group's bottom line forecasts for the fiscal year under review. Can we assume that the risk of significant impairment has receded?
A

The Purchase Price Allocation of the amount of goodwill and intangible non-current assets has not been finalized due in part to restrictions on the movement of accountants as a result of COVID-19. In the future, certain intangible non-current assets will be evaluated after estimating aircraft-related demand more stringently than at the time of acquisition. Having said this, and as far as the amount is concerned, we do not believe it will have a major impact on bottom line plans for the fiscal year under review.

Q
(Pages 15 and 16 of the presentation slides) What are your forecasts for SEKISUI AEROSPACE CORPORATION's profit and loss? Can we assume that the operating loss will narrow substantially in the 4Q?
A

We are looking to even out profit and loss at SEKISUI AEROSPACE CORPORATION on a non-consolidated basis.

About Housing Company result, order plans, and other matters

Q
(Pages 19, 21 and 22 of the presentation slides) While new housing orders exceeded plans in the 1H, why is there essentially no change in the forecast for 2H operating income?
A

Order plans are based on the assumption that the business environment will return to normal in the 2H. Currently, the impact is still being felt. For the most part, 2H sales of properties for which orders will be received in the 3Q are projected to fall short of initial plans. Moreover, we anticipate the recovery in rebuilding and other demand will be slower than forecast at the beginning of the period. We are looking at a slight deterioration in the product mix and accordingly have left forecasts for operating income essentially unchanged.

Q
(Page 20 of the presentation slides) Reductions in fixed costs exceeded plans mainly in the Housing business in the 1H. Can you provide us with specific details? Do you intend to continue implementing the same reduction and management measures in the 2H?
A

In the 1H, successful steps were taken to reduce mainly sales promotion expenses by controlling activities centered on large-scale events including factory tours and pushing forward such initiatives as digital marketing. While we will continue to focus on reducing sales promotion expenses and to increase the efficiency of business operations, we will undertake strategic investments in such areas as experience-based showrooms.

Q
(Page 22 of the presentation slides) The number of visitors to housing exhibitions is projected to come in at around 80% of the previous year's level in the 2H. Do you also expect numbers will remain unchanged in the future and not return to pre-COVID-19 levels?
A

Looking back at the 1H, the number fell dramatically to 28% of the previous year in the 1Q due to the government's declaration of a nationwide state of emergency and other factors. In the 2Q, this number improved to 80%. Having said this, the temporary spread of the pandemic also pushed down the number of visitors in the 2Q. With this in mind, we believe that a recovery to prior levels will take some time. In contrast, the number of online customers that are gathering information in advance is increasing substantially. As the number of customers who first gather information online and then visit exhibitions to gain a first-hand look at our products increases, we will also focus on this area.

About UIEP Company prioritized product sales growth

Q
(Page 29 of the presentation slides) Sales of prioritized products in the UIEP Company are projected to increase substantially in the 2H. What factors do you see contributing to this growth? Can we expect the same level of growth from the next fiscal year?
A

Results were impacted by stoppages in construction in the 1H. In addition to the portion of sales that were subsequently carried forward into the 2H, new products are also contributing to sales. While focusing on expanding sales of prioritized products since FY2017, the rate of sales growth has exceeded 10% each period including the fiscal year under review. Looking ahead, we will continue to pursue existing measures including the development and introduction of new products from FY2021 with a focus on maintaining an annual rate of sales growth of at least 10%.

About inventories

Q
(Page 39 of the presentation slides) The balance of inventories as of September 30, 2020 compared with the balance as of March 31, 2020 was lower than the balance as of June 30, 2020 as outlined on July 31, 2020, when details of 1Q results were announced. Having said this, the balance as of September 30, 2020 came in at a higher level than the end of September in the previous year. Is the disposition of inventories that have accumulated because of COVID-19 progressing?
A

With the exception of the Housing segment, where we are strategically increasing inventories including ready-built houses, the amount is decreasing compared with the end of March and in general returning to a more appropriate level. Despite sales not having fully recovered because of the impact of COVID-19, and the slight deterioration in such indicators as inventory turnover, we do not sense any feelings of excess compared with the previous year, and anticipate the future recovery in sales will help resolve this issue.