【最終】AR2018

28/90

The fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, saw brisk demand for tapes and devices for the manufacturing processes of semiconductors and electronic components. This is attributable in part to significant growth in the markets for semiconduc-tors and electronic components. However, we take pride in the fact that our current performance is also the result of uncompromising efforts to identify the needs of customers and markets based on our “always be No. 1” policy as well as the timely development and marketing of products.With respect to semiconductor-related adhesive tapes and multilayer ceramic capacitor-related tapes, given that we have been operating at full capacity in recent years due to strong demand for our products, centered on those for high-end products, we are reforming our production system and ramping up production capacity. The challenge going forward will be to strengthen supply chain management even further with the aim of procuring stable supplies of base films—the raw material of our products—and ensuring reliable quality. To these ends, we are actively disclosing information to suppli-ers and seeking their cooperation.Advanced Materials OperationsOptical Products OperationsIn the fiscal year under review, although adhesive processing operations for films used in LCDs grew sales volume, selling prices and net sales decreased, partly reflecting the market entry of LCD panel manufacturers from China. We must build a structure that generates earnings consistently by reducing variable costs and fixed costs and by strengthening global operations among our manufactur-ing bases in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the polarizing film manufacturer with which they collaborate.Regarding products for organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, due to their structure these displays use fewer layers of polarizing film than LCDs use. Although the market is still small, orders have been increasing steadily. In prep-aration for the further spread and penetration of OLED displays, we will deepen partnerships with the aforementioned polarizing film manufacturer and explore the development of operations for new optically functional films.26LINTEC ANNUAL REPORT 2018CORPORATE VALUE INITIATIVESMain ProductsAdvanced Materials Operations• Semiconductor-related adhesive tapes and equipment• Multilayer ceramic capacitor-related tapesOptical Products Operations• Polarizing films and retardation films (adhesive processing)• Polarizing films (surface improvement processing)Electronic and Optical ProductsTakeshi KaiyaExecutive Officer Executive General Manager, Advanced Materials Operations, Business Administration Div.Shinji ItoExecutive General Manager, Optical Products Operations, Business Administration Div.