
Core Viewpoint - Zhongwei Semiconductor Equipment (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. aims to cover nearly 60% of the high-end integrated circuit equipment market in the future, emphasizing the importance of mergers and acquisitions in the domestic integrated circuit equipment industry [1][6]. Financial Performance - In 2024, Zhongwei achieved revenue of 9.065 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 44.7%, and a net profit of 1.388 billion yuan, up 16.5% [2]. - In Q1 2024, the company reported revenue of 2.173 billion yuan, a 35.4% increase year-on-year, with a net profit of 313 million yuan, up 25.67% [2]. - R&D expenses for 2024 reached 2.45 billion yuan, accounting for 27% of sales, with a significant increase in R&D investment over the years [2][3]. R&D Investment - Zhongwei maintains a minimum of 20% R&D investment annually, with the ratio reaching 31.6% in Q1 2024, significantly higher than the average for Sci-Tech Innovation Board companies [3]. - The company has a research team of nearly 400 people, reducing product development time from three to five years to just 18 months [3]. Strategic Development - The company implements a three-dimensional development strategy to expand growth opportunities, focusing on integrated circuit equipment, general semiconductor equipment, and industry chain cultivation [4][5]. - In the integrated circuit equipment sector, Zhongwei has become a leader in plasma etching equipment, contributing over 7.2 billion yuan in revenue in 2024, a 54.7% increase [4]. Market Position and Future Outlook - Zhongwei currently covers approximately 30% of the high-end integrated circuit equipment market, with goals to increase this to nearly 60% in the next five to ten years [4]. - The company has invested over 2 billion yuan in 40 companies, with a focus on supply chain investments, achieving a floating profit of nearly 5.9 billion yuan [5]. Industry Trends - The domestic integrated circuit equipment industry is expected to consolidate, with a trend towards fewer, stronger companies [6]. - Zhongwei has already established a presence in international markets, including the U.S., where it has several reactors in production for 5nm processes [6][7].