SFA reported an 18.3% increase in first-quarter orders, reaching 217.9 billion won, driven by growth in robotics logistics and semiconductor demand. The company set a 63% year-over-year target for first-half orders at 530 billion won, led by HBM transport systems and inspection equipment. Its subsidiary SFA Semiconductor recorded 107.3 billion won in first-quarter revenue, up 42%. Consolidated revenue declined 9.3% to 361.1 billion won, with operating profit down 46.8% due to weak battery business at subsidiary CIS. A company official said earnings recovery at CIS is “only a matter of time,” citing its technological edge in electrode processing.
New Orders Hit 217.9 Billion Won in Q1, Up 18.3%
According to www.thelec.net, SFA reported an 18.3% increase in new orders during the first quarter of 2026, reaching 217.9 billion won, up from 184.3 billion won in the same period the prior year. The growth was driven by strong demand in robotics logistics and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, with the company citing expanding business in subsea cable systems and robotic logistics projects as key contributors.
First-Half Order Target Set at 530 Billion Won
SFA has set a first-half 2026 order target of 530 billion won, representing a 63% increase compared to 325.2 billion won recorded during the same period in 2025. This ambitious target reflects growing traction in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) transport systems and semiconductor inspection equipment, both of which are now key focus areas for the company.
Robotics Logistics and New Energy Projects Drive Growth
Orders in SFA’s Robotics HM Logistics division rose significantly, particularly in offshore wind power infrastructure and hydrogen fuel cell systems. These segments contributed to overall double-digit growth in new order volume. The expansion into offshore energy projects highlights SFA’s diversification beyond traditional manufacturing logistics into renewable energy infrastructure.
Semiconductor Business Expands into Inspection Equipment
Following its entry into overhead hoist transport (OHT) systems for HBM production, SFA diversified into semiconductor inspection equipment. Its subsidiary, SFA Semiconductor, reported first-quarter revenue of 107.3 billion won, a 42% year-over-year increase. This marks a strategic expansion into a higher-value segment of the semiconductor supply chain, where inspection systems are critical for yield and quality control.
Consolidated Financial Performance Weaker Amid Battery Sector Struggles
On a consolidated basis, SFA’s revenue fell 9.3% to 361.1 billion won, while operating profit declined sharply by 46.8% to 15.4 billion won. The company attributed the weak performance to sluggish conditions in the battery business at its subsidiary, CIS. Despite this, SFA noted that CIS maintains technological competitiveness in electrode processing, and stated that “earnings recovery is only a matter of time.”
“Considering CIS’s technological competitiveness in electrode processing, earnings recovery is only a matter of time,” a company official said.
Standalone Performance Shows Mixed Results
On a standalone basis, SFA reported first-quarter revenue of 189.5 billion won, a 4.8% decline from the prior year. However, operating profit rose slightly by 0.8% to 21.8 billion won, indicating improved cost management despite lower top-line growth.
Source: www.thelec.net
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
