东方科脉转战港股：活在电子纸“寡头”垄断下，利润越做越薄

Core Viewpoint - Zhejiang Dongfang Kema Electronic Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Dongfang Kema") is attempting to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange after failing to IPO in the A-share market due to increased profit requirements. The company faces declining profit margins and increasing financial pressure, with a cash balance of only 84 million yuan against liabilities of 763 million yuan [1][19]. Financial Performance - As of June 2023, Dongfang Kema's cash and cash equivalents were 84 million yuan, while total liabilities reached 763 million yuan, indicating significant financial strain [1]. - The company's revenue from 2020 to 2025 shows fluctuations, with figures of 477 million yuan, 864 million yuan, 1.214 billion yuan, 1.024 billion yuan, 1.152 billion yuan, and 796 million yuan respectively [11]. - Net profit for the same period was 68.69 million yuan, 89.11 million yuan, 91.88 million yuan, 50.74 million yuan, 53.40 million yuan, and 43.04 million yuan, reflecting a downward trend in profitability [11]. Market Position and Competition - Dongfang Kema ranks second globally in the smart IoT electronic paper display solutions market with a market share of 20.5% as of 2024 [6]. - The company is heavily reliant on E Ink Holdings, which holds a dominant position in the electronic paper industry, leading to reduced bargaining power for midstream module manufacturers like Dongfang Kema [5][12]. - The competitive landscape is intensifying, with new entrants and existing customers like Hanshu Technology starting to produce their own electronic paper modules, reducing their reliance on Dongfang Kema [16][18]. Cost Structure and Profitability - The gross profit margin for Dongfang Kema has been declining, with figures of 26.59%, 20.87%, and 22.95% from 2020 to 2022, and further dropping to 20.7% in 2022 and 15.8% in 2023 [13][12]. - The unit cost of products has increased, with the average selling price for small, medium, and large electronic paper modules showing a decline in gross margins [8][14]. Supply Chain and Raw Material Dependency - Dongfang Kema's procurement from its top five suppliers accounted for over 78% of total procurement from 2020 to 2025, with E Ink Holdings being the largest supplier [11]. - The company faces challenges due to high dependency on E Ink for core materials, which limits its ability to negotiate better terms and affects its overall cost structure [5][11]. Operational Challenges - The company has experienced a significant increase in inventory turnover days, rising from 85 days in 2020 to 124 days in 2025, indicating potential liquidity risks [21][22]. - Operating cash flow has been negative in several periods, highlighting issues with cash management and operational efficiency [20]. Future Outlook - Analysts suggest that Dongfang Kema has potential for growth if it can effectively manage its gross margin recovery, operational funding, and reduce dependency on a limited number of customers [16][19]. - The electronic paper market is projected to grow significantly, which could provide opportunities for Dongfang Kema if it can navigate its current challenges [16].