Summary of Conference Call on PCB Equipment Industry Industry Overview - The PCB industry is experiencing significant growth driven by AI, with leading manufacturers like Shenghong, Pengding, and Jingwang expanding capacity to meet the rising demand for multilayer and HDI boards, particularly those with over 20 layers and advanced multilayer boards reaching up to hundreds of layers [1][3][8]. Key Points and Arguments 1. **Increased Capital Expenditure**: Downstream PCB manufacturers are expected to exceed capital expenditure forecasts, with significant investments in equipment from leading firms [3]. 2. **Growth in Multilayer and HDI Board Demand**: AI is increasing the share of multilayer and HDI boards in the industry, with many AI-related PCBs having at least 20 layers [3][8]. 3. **High Precision Requirements**: The trend towards multilayer PCBs is leading to smaller hole diameters and narrower line widths, necessitating higher precision in exposure equipment, especially for HDI products [3][7]. 4. **New Technology Iteration**: Future packaging technologies may evolve towards more advanced solutions, increasing the demand for high-end exposure equipment, which accounts for over 15% of total equipment investment [4]. 5. **Direct Imaging Technology**: Laser Direct Imaging (LDIA) technology is the mainstream method, offering 3-4 times higher production efficiency and precision down to 5 microns, compared to traditional photolithography [5]. 6. **Market Concentration**: The PCB exposure equipment market is concentrated, with the top five suppliers holding over 55% market share, and New Micro Equipment leading with a 15% share [9][10]. 7. **New Micro Equipment's Market Position**: New Micro Equipment has a strong presence in both PCB and semiconductor fields, providing high-precision equipment from tens of microns to nanometer levels, with a focus on high-end HDI equipment [10][11]. Additional Important Insights - **Future Development Directions**: New Micro Equipment plans to leverage its technological advantages in both semiconductor and PCB sectors, expand international business, and enhance production capacity [11][12]. - **2024 Equipment Shipment and Capacity**: In 2024, the company shipped 378 units, with actual production exceeding 400 units, and is expected to maintain high delivery rates into 2025 [12][13]. - **Order Growth in Laser Drilling**: The company has received orders for its laser drilling business, with significant growth anticipated in the semiconductor sector [13][15]. - **Overall Development Logic**: The company's growth is driven by accelerated downstream expansion, new technology iterations, increased delivery capabilities, and breakthroughs in the semiconductor field [16]. This summary encapsulates the key insights from the conference call regarding the PCB equipment industry, highlighting the growth drivers, market dynamics, and the strategic positioning of leading companies within the sector.

Summary of Key Points from Conference Call Records Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the AI equipment sector, particularly focusing on companies like Ice Wheel Environment (冰轮环境) and Lian De Co., Ltd. (联德股份) [1][2][4][12]. Company-Specific Insights Ice Wheel Environment (冰轮环境) - **Financial Performance**: In 2024, Ice Wheel Environment achieved total revenue of 6.6 billion RMB, with its subsidiary contributing 2.2 billion RMB. AI-related revenue was 600 million RMB, with a profit margin of approximately 15% [1][4]. - **Future Projections**: For 2025, AI-related revenue is expected to reach 1.3 billion RMB, contributing 240 million RMB to total profits, which is about 30% of the total profit. The company anticipates a 50% increase in data center cabinet shipments in 2026, potentially leading to AI-related profits of 360 million RMB [1][4]. - **Market Position**: Ice Wheel Environment is among the top five special air conditioning companies in Europe and the U.S., with a history of 130 years, and holds a competitive advantage in the global market [5]. - **Production Capacity**: The company has a total production capacity of 3.3 billion RMB, with 60% of its operations overseas. It is expanding its production in China to meet non-U.S. demand [6]. - **Valuation**: The current market capitalization is approximately 14 billion RMB, with a reasonable valuation estimated at around 22.5 billion RMB [1][4]. Lian De Co., Ltd. (联德股份) - **Recent Performance**: Lian De reported significant year-on-year growth in Q2, with expectations for record profits in Q3, marking a turning point for the company [3][7]. - **Production Capacity**: The company has an annual production capacity of about 55,000 tons, with a total output value of 1.1 to 1.2 billion RMB. An additional 40,000 tons of capacity is expected to come online in 2025 [8][11]. - **Market Dynamics**: The company operates in a highly customized industry, maintaining strong relationships with clients, which is crucial for supply chain security [10][12]. - **Future Outlook**: With the new capacity, Lian De's total production capacity will approach 100,000 tons, with projected revenues of around 2 billion RMB and profits exceeding 300 million RMB [12]. Other Companies Mentioned - **Fuji Electric**: Experienced a stock price surge after revising its Q3 guidance upward, indicating strong market sentiment [3][9]. - **Ying Liu Co., Ltd. (应流股份)**: Plans to expand production capacity significantly, with a focus on high-end components, projecting a profit range of 700 to 900 million RMB [13][14]. - **New Flag Microelectronics (新旗微装)**: Positioned as a key player in the PCB exposure equipment market, with potential revenues of 4 to 5 billion RMB based on market share [15]. - **Dazhu CNC (大族数控)**: Leading in the PCB sector with rapid capacity expansion and strong order growth, expected to see significant revenue increases [16][17]. Additional Insights - The AI equipment sector is anticipated to continue its accelerated growth in the coming years, with several companies positioned to benefit from this trend [2]. - The importance of supply chain security and strong customer relationships is emphasized across the industry, particularly in the high-end casting and customized manufacturing sectors [10][12].

Core Viewpoint - The PCB industry is experiencing continuous expansion driven by the demand for AI computing infrastructure, with major companies increasing production capacity to meet this demand [1] Group 1: PCB Equipment Market - The expansion in PCB production is primarily focused on high-layer HDI boards, leading to increased requirements for aperture size and corresponding rises in equipment quantity and prices [1] - Exposure equipment accounts for 10%-15% of the PCB equipment value, with high-end PCB boards requiring higher precision and line width, benefiting leading companies that secure top-tier clients [2] - Drilling equipment constitutes about 25% of the PCB equipment value, with the demand for laser drilling equipment increasing due to the limitations of traditional mechanical drilling methods as PCB complexity grows [2] Group 2: Key Companies and Developments - Domestic companies benefiting from the expansion include Chipbond Technology (688630.SH), Dazhong CNC (301200.SZ), and Tianzhun Technology (688003.SH) [2] - Major players in the drilling needle sector, such as Dingtai High-tech and Jinzhou Precision, are expanding production capacity in response to the rising demand for high-end drilling needles driven by AI server PCB upgrades [3] - The PCB electroplating equipment market is also evolving, with vertical electroplating equipment dominating and companies like Dongwei Technology (688700.SH) seeing significant order growth [4]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Overweight" indicating that the industry is expected to outperform the overall market [2][9]. Core Insights - The PCB industry is experiencing continuous expansion driven by the demand for AI computing infrastructure, with major companies like Huadian and Shenghong investing significantly in new projects [3]. - The expansion is primarily focused on high-layer HDI boards, leading to increased requirements for equipment quantity and pricing [3]. - The exposure segment of PCB equipment, which accounts for 10%-15% of the total equipment value, is seeing higher demand for advanced exposure equipment due to stricter requirements from high-end PCB boards [3]. - The drilling segment, which constitutes about 25% of PCB equipment value, is benefiting from the increasing complexity of PCB designs, with a shift towards laser drilling technology [3]. - The PCB drill needle market is experiencing growth due to the surge in AI demand, prompting manufacturers to expand production capacity [3]. - The electroplating segment, which represents around 10% of PCB equipment value, is seeing increased demand for high-end equipment as AI applications require thicker copper and finer lines [3]. Summary by Sections PCB Expansion - Continuous expansion in the PCB sector is driven by AI computing needs, with significant investments from leading companies [3]. Exposure Equipment - Exposure equipment is critical for high-end PCB production, with domestic companies improving their capabilities to meet rising demands [3]. Drilling Equipment - The drilling process is evolving with a shift towards laser technology, driven by the need for smaller apertures and tighter tolerances in PCB manufacturing [3]. Drill Needles - The demand for high-quality drill needles is increasing, with manufacturers ramping up production to meet the needs of upgraded AI server PCBs [3]. Electroplating Equipment - The demand for advanced electroplating equipment is growing, particularly for high-end applications in the AI sector [3].

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Overweight" indicating an expectation for the industry to outperform the overall market [13]. Core Insights - The demand for AI PCBs is driving a tight supply situation, leading to an acceleration in capacity expansion among downstream PCB manufacturers, which is positively impacting the upstream PCB equipment sector [3][4]. - Significant capital expenditure from overseas AI giants is sustaining high demand for high-end AI server PCBs, prompting downstream manufacturers to actively expand production [3][4]. - The current expansion cycle is expected to result in a notable increase in equipment order volumes and an upgrade in high-end PCB production lines, which will enhance the average selling price (ASP) of equipment [3][4]. Summary by Sections Industry Expansion - The PCB industry is entering a period of intensive capacity expansion, with several PCB manufacturers announcing new projects, including notable expansions by companies such as Huadian and Shenghong [4][10]. - Capital expenditures are increasing, with Pengding Holdings indicating a capital expenditure of 5 billion yuan in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 51.5% [4]. Supply Chain Dynamics - Some upstream PCB equipment suppliers are experiencing supply tightness due to the rapid growth in global AI computing demand, which is accelerating the technological upgrades and capacity expansions of high-layer PCBs and high-end HDI boards [5]. - Chip equipment manufacturers like Xinqi Microelectronics are reporting full capacity operations and optimistic business prospects, with order delivery schedules extending into the third quarter of 2025 [5]. Technological Upgrades - AI's requirements for PCB performance are driving upgrades in related equipment, necessitating advancements in layers, materials, and manufacturing processes [6]. - The complexity of structures in high-layer HDI boards is increasing, which is pushing equipment manufacturers to enhance their technology and precision [7]. Beneficiary Companies - Recommended beneficiaries in the PCB equipment market include Xinqi Microelectronics for exposure equipment, Dazhu CNC for drilling and testing equipment, Dongwei Technology for plating equipment, and Dingtai Gaoke for drilling needles [8][10].