Yew Lee Demonstrates Resilience in Navigating Market Challenges
In 3Q FY2023, Yew Lee reported a revenue of RM5.7 million, compared to RM6.1 million in the same quarter of the previous year. This change is primarily due to variations in sales orders. Notably, the Group’s manufacturing business remained profitable, contributing positively to the overall financials. However, an overall slight loss after tax of RM0.1 million was recorded for this quarter, against a profit after tax of RM0.8 million in the corresponding period last year. This was largely due to challenges faced in the trading business segment, which offset the gains from manufacturing.
The revenue breakdown for 3Q FY2023 shows that the manufacturing segment contributed RM3.5 million, while the trading segment accounted for RM2.2 million. The manufacturing segment of Yew Lee demonstrated resilient performance, achieving an operating profit of RM0.3 million. In contrast, the trading segment faced some setbacks, resulting in an operating loss of RM0.3 million.
On a quarter-on-quarter basis, revenue rose to RM5.7 million in 3Q FY2023 from RM5.1 million in the previous quarter, an increase of 11%. This was attributed to a slight uptick in sales orders. The quarter’s loss after tax of RM0.1 million improved from a RM0.4 million loss in the preceding quarter, influenced by income tax expense and higher administrative expenses in the previous quarter, partially cushioned by a shift towards higher-margin products.
Mr. Ang Lee Leong, Managing Director of Yew Lee, stated, “While the rubber glove industry continues to be a significant sector for us, we are actively exploring new avenues for growth. Our commitment to diversifying our market reach and enhancing our operational efficiency remains steadfast. We are optimistic about the future and believe that our strategic initiatives will enable us to generate increased income and ensure Yew Lee’s resilience and long-term stability in a dynamic global market. In addition, our trading segment will endeavor to secure larger and more consistent plus sustainable contracts as part of our ongoing turnaround strategy.”
In line with the Group’s strategy to expand its market presence, Yew Lee is establishing a new subsidiary in Thailand, focusing on industrial brush manufacturing. This decision comes after careful evaluation of the Thailand market, where a stable demand for industrial brushes has been identified. The Group is investing RM9 million from its IPO proceeds for this venture, with RM5.5 million allocated for purchasing additional manufacturing machinery and equipment, and RM3.5 million for setup costs and working capital requirements. So far, an investment of RM1.2 million has been made towards this expansion. Yew Lee’s venture into Thailand is a strategic move to strengthen the Group’s market position and enhance its competitiveness in the Southeast Asian region.
As at 23 November 2023, the share price of Yew Lee stands at RM0.37, representing a market capitalisation of RM197.7 million.