ACM Research, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACMR) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

David Wang: Okay, great. I think the ACM — we’re started beginning you know even from the Bay Area, right. ACM our R&D philosophy is, I would call differentiation, right, and each product we’re building like cleaning you already know that SAPS, TEBO, and Tahoe is pretty our differential product and same thing for the copper plating. So our goal is building differential product and this moment widely has been accepted by the local customer in China. And with those differential product and the technology I think we can penetrate or get into international, right, example is that we already get into the Hynix you know and also we have one bigger manufacturer, U.S. adapt the SAPS already also have a European company and also adapted SAPS megasonic cleaning too.

Beyond that as the next one is our Tahoe, our TEBO plus we have a super-critical CO2 dry with Tahoe — with TEBO tool will be real be exciting for their patent way for cleaning tool, right? And beyond that is also I said that we have also furnace and for furnace ARD and including copper plating and it was another very candid product and to be able to penetrate international market. So as I say that is of course developed PECVD and the Track also has our proprietary differential design point. So ACM really develop their — I call this our differential product which is real offer differentiation offer their different benefit than our other competitor doing. That’s our confidence and also our proven record. We can put the tool and sell in international market.

Christian Schwab: Great. So congrats again on a very differentiated and better product than your competitors. Just in a quick last follow-up then is on the international front. You know, how much of the year-over-year growth are you looking for from that? I guess, I know it was kind of asked earlier but you mentioned it numerous times as why you thought you would outgrow the market. So I’m just wondering if you’re willing to provide any clarity — more clarity there.

Mark McKechnie: Yes. Hi Christian, I’ll hit that. So in terms of our outlook, I mean, the range, we have a pretty small contribution from international this year. It’s still going to be kind of development. So really substantially most of that growth that we’re planning for in 2024 is from the China market, the Mainland China market. Yes, new product cycles customer, additional customer traction.

Christian Schwab: Okay. And then I guess my very last question then is, the TAM for your products outside of China, globally is substantially larger. You know, how many years do you think is reasonable for us to assume it takes for broad based success internationally? It sounds like this year was a great building year. Initial shipments starting in 2024. Is that a 2026, 2027 or 2025 event or is it too early to know?

David Wang: Yes, Christian, this is a very good question. I think the way we’re doing right now, obviously it’s quite a quicker fast grow in the Mainland China market, right. A lot of product we qualify here now. So those — I think our goal was you know reaching $1 billion even by China market only, right? We think in the next few years we should be reaching our goal and simultaneously in a couple of years, two years ago we started also global market expectation penetration. So the key is really how we execute our international sales plan. Now we have hiring good people and sales guy in Korea, actually also in the U.S., in Europe. And we’ll see that there are quite a bit of progress. And let’s put this known for the international market and as we talk to the customer, everybody looking for, back in the game, you know differentiation, right?

So with that in mind and as I mentioned, couple of products we have right now, we do have confidence as their first, I call their U.S. customer adapt tool. We see more of our customer may adapt additional other tool too. So we see that happen. But then you’re asking, which year is how to give you precisely. But I think as I said, we have a big revenue with a strong financial supporting from sales here with also differential product, definitely will penetrate into the international market. If asking next few years is very exciting, we have to quickly execute our plan and to quickly reach that goal. And eventually, as I mentioned a couple of times before, we under half from Mainland China, half from outside Mainland China, right? So like you said, the real revenue contribution actually be more bigger outside Mainland China.

Christian Schwab: Thank you. That’s great. No other questions. Thanks, guys.

David Wang: Thank you.

Mark McKechnie: Thanks, Christian. Yes.

Operator: Our next question comes from Charlie Chan with Morgan Stanley. Your line is now open.

Charlie Chan: Thanks for taking my question again. So I think the new customer contribution caught our eye SiEn. So it wasn’t in our radar screen. So I’m not sure why SiEn becomes such a big customer. And if you can provide some more details, is that purely 12-inch equipment are also including some engine equipment? Thank you.

David Wang: Yes, I think the primary we sell to the SiEn is 12-inch tool, right. And also their most expansion now is a mature node. So we actually sell a lot of our auto bench. They’re probably the largest auto bench customer right now for us in China. So of course they also buy the wafer, right. So that’s why primary driving there to become the second largest customer in 2023. And looking forward, I think also we are very good relation and engagement with them in copper plating, our furnace and also online. So that’s another contribution we can say from SiEn, right. And it’s great customer and we’re happy with our — I said, you know, our auto bench tool be largely deployed and investigate the production line.

Charlie Chan: Okay. Yes. So it’s a great business, right. So I’m assuming company consults your lawyer about the U.S. export control before you shipping to all the customers, including SiEn, is that right assumption?

David Wang: Well, I mean, we’ll strictly to follow all the aspect control rule, right. And said here and for those whatever restrict their customer, we have to be very carefully U.S. parts, right. And personally involved also now you say technology. Yes. So we’re pretty very carefully managing and control and follow strictly with their export controller of the U.S.

Charlie Chan: Okay. Thanks David. And next question is about the advanced memory HPM. So can come in talk about your opportunity in Korea for the HPM production line. I think we asked that question last quarter as well. And also there’s some recent news about China may also have their own HPM production. So can comment about your potential opportunity at the Korea and also China customers.