Phillip Securities Research analyst: Colin Tan
Company Background
Hi-P International is a vertically-integrated turnkey contract manufacturer, serving some of the biggest names in the mobile phones, household & personal care appliances, computing and peripherals, medical devices and industrial devices. Customer base include well-known brand names such as Apple, Motorola, Blackberry, Xiaomi, P&G, Colgate and Braun. The company has over a dozen manufacturing plants primarily in the People’s Republic of China, Poland, Singapore and Thailand and is expected to commence production at its new Nantong plant from end of 4Q14.
Components and assembly for major smartphone brands
Hi-P has helped Apple to manufacture components and provides assembly for its iPhones and iPads. It is also one of the two suppliers for Xiaomi Mi4’s metal frame. The company also designs and manufacture the YotaPhone 2, a 5-inch dual-screen Android smartphone with sales launched in Russia, UK and the UAE and is expected to hit China and South-East Asian markets in the 1st quarter of 2015.
Catering to the “Metal” trend in smartphones
More smartphones are adopting metal frames and shifting away from plastic encasing. Hi-P has invested in metal technology, equipment and training to cater for rising demand for metal components in smartphones and capture the opportunities.
Opportunities abound from IoT and consumer wearables
Emerging Internet of Things (IoT) trend may also offer potential growth opportunities for Hi- P’s wireless SBU, as the industry geared toward smart home initiatives. IDC forecasts the IoT market to grow at 7.9% CAGR from 2013 to 2020. Demand for consumer wearables may also add on to potential opportunities for the company.
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Recent story: Hi-P INTERNATIONAL: Set to reap rewards from YotaPhone2's success
Excerpts from analyst's report