Open-market purchase set for Oct. 7; stake to rise to 33.63%
After 3 billion won in April, 8 billion won in June and 5 billion won in July, this year's total hits 16.7 billion won
Q2 sales hit record 251.1 billion won, operating profit 130.3 billion won
Kwak Dong-shin, chairman of Hanmi Semiconductor, will invest 700 million won ($522,000) of his own money to buy additional shares in the company. Once the purchase is complete, Kwak's cumulative share buybacks since 2023 will reach 70.2 billion won.
Hanmi Semiconductor said Wednesday that Kwak plans to acquire 700 million won worth of shares on the open market on Oct. 7. The purchase would raise his stake to 33.63 percent.
Kwak has been steadily buying Hanmi Semiconductor shares with his personal funds since 2023. This year alone, he purchased 3 billion won worth in April, 8 billion won in June and 5 billion won in July. Including the latest 700 million won purchase, his total share buybacks this year amount to 16.7 billion won.
The continued share purchases coincide with Hanmi Semiconductor's earnings growth. The company posted 251.1 billion won in sales in the second quarter, its highest quarterly sales since its founding in 1980. Operating profit for the quarter came to 130.3 billion won, with an operating margin of 51.9 percent.
Growth was driven by rising demand for TC bonders used in HBM production, as the AI semiconductor market expands. Hanmi Semiconductor's main products are TC bonders and MSVP (Micro Saw & Vision Placement) equipment.
The company is also expanding into advanced packaging. Hanmi Semiconductor recently launched four types of 2.5D packaging equipment to target global foundries and outsourced semiconductor assembly and test companies. It is also expanding its EMI shield equipment project for the aerospace sector.
Hanmi Semiconductor is also establishing a foothold in the US market. The company plans to set up a local subsidiary, Hanmi USA, in San Jose, California, by the end of this year. The move is aimed at strengthening equipment supply and technical support for local customers as investment in US semiconductor production facilities expands.
A Hanmi Semiconductor official said, "Kwak's additional share purchase reflects his confidence in the company's growth as it expands into the US market and increases equipment supply, as well as his commitment to responsible management." The official added, "We will strengthen our position in the AI semiconductor and advanced packaging markets."
hong@heraldcorp.com
