The Motley Fool would like to acknowledge that an article, published on September 6, 2018, then later removed from Fool.com on September 7, 2018, mischaracterized comments from Himax Technologies' (HIMX 3.20%) management team and did not adequately address the state of business within the 3D sensing space. Himax has released a statement about the article.
Here are comments from CEO Jordan Wu in the company's most recent conference call that reflect management's commitment to the 3D sensor market, and positioning within the industry:
The major [3D sensor] shipments are to one anchor customer, as I mentioned. And we have said in our prepared remarks that second half will see a major, major increase from the first half. So Q1 this year was a low point. Major increase in Q2, another major increase in Q3 and another major increase in Q4. So you will see sequential increase quarter-by-quarter within this year.
At present, we are working with customers who are targeting to bring new 3D sensing applications to smartphone, on top of facial unlock and online payment. We are now targeting the end of the year or early 2019 for shipment to the customers for their product launch in first half 2019, although the actual shipment date will ultimately be detected by end customers.
The original article also suggested that the company may have lost a spot in an upcoming hardware release from a big-name partner. Because the hardware industry is characterized by non-disclosure agreements between manufacturers and suppliers, it is difficult to track individual device wins. In an email, the company told The Motley Fool:
Our relationship with our US-based OEM customer is deepening... Moreover, in our September 5, 2018 press release, we [said we] are expanding relationships for our 3D sensing technologies...
With regards to 3D sensing business in the Android camp, being a leading player in the 3D sensing space, Himax is in partnership with several leading smartphone names to enable their 3D sensing by providing optics, projector or total solution, depending on the customer's needs and their in-house capabilities. At present, we are working with customers who are targeting to bring new 3D sensing applications to smartphone, on top of facial unlock and online payment. We are now targeting the end of the year or early 2019 for shipment to the customers for their product launch in first half 2019, although the actual shipment date will ultimately be dictated by end customers.
Lastly, the original article indicated that the company had misallocated factory capacity with its commitment to the 3D sensing market. Here are comments from CEO Jordan Wu from the company's recent conference call that discuss the company's capacity for 3D sensing production and its plans for the future:
ASC [3D sensing business] will drive our capacity expansion next year. I mentioned it is highly likely that we have to start to prepare more capacity. Our current capacity right now is about 2 million units of optics per month. It is more than likely that we have to add more capacity into that, starting perhaps later this year, because primarily the ASC, we have multiple customers in multiple projects as well as a lot of them enter into mass production.
The original article on Fool.com has been removed, but The Motley Fool wanted to issue this statement to clarify the misrepresentations and be sure that the investing community had the correct information.
