Samco

Basic Information

Stock Code
6387
Industry
Machinery
Category Detail
Manufacturing Machinery & Electrical Equipment
Prefecture
Kyoto Prefecture
Establishment Year
September 1979
Listing Year
May 2001
Official Website
https://www.samco.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
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Overview

Samco is a semiconductor manufacturing equipment manufacturer established in 1979, specializing in compound semiconductors with high technological capabilities and serving as an industry leader based in Kyoto.

Current Situation

Samco recorded net sales of 6.4 billion yen, operating profit of 1.37 billion yen, and net profit of 1.05 billion yen for the fiscal year ended July 2022, maintaining stable earnings. Its core semiconductor manufacturing equipment specializes in compound semiconductors for LEDs and semiconductor lasers, with sales of approximately 4,000 units domestically and internationally. Technologically, it leverages LS-CVD and Tornado ICP etching technologies, and has licensed the Bosch process to develop deep trench etching technology. In recent years, it has focused on enhancing support for power device materials such as gallium nitride and silicon carbide. It has established R&D bases and service networks domestically and internationally, while engaging in environmentally friendly product development with sustainability in mind and local community contributions. As a Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market-listed company, it advances cutting-edge technological development and global expansion to achieve mid- to long-term growth.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Started in a garage of a mixed-use building in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto at founding.
  • Company name Samco derives from Semiconductor And Materials Company.
  • First domestic semiconductor equipment manufacturer to acquire Bosch process license.
  • Track record of over 4,000 equipment units sold cumulatively.
  • Extensive deployment of R&D and service bases domestically and internationally.
  • High-precision 3D structure Tornado ICP coil is proprietary design.
  • Specialized in compound semiconductors, strong in niche markets.
  • Occupies a veteran position in semiconductor equipment manufacturing.
  • Continuously advances energy-saving equipment design over many years.
  • Capable of customizing Bosch process for specific applications.

Hidden Connections

  • Holds strong influence in automotive MEMS sensor field through Bosch process technology provision.
  • Exclusive domestic sales of SiC epitaxial growth equipment via partnership with Sweden's Epiluvac.
  • Close technical and service ties with Taiwan and China's semiconductor manufacturing industries.
  • Accelerates R&D with base in Kyoto, a hub of strong industry-academia-government collaboration.
  • Stable management structure with founder Tsuji Osamu serving as Representative Director, Chairman, and CEO.
  • Unique among domestic semiconductor equipment makers in specializing solely in compound semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
  • Aqua Plasma technology gaining attention as environmentally friendly cleaning equipment.
  • Cumulative sales units have become standard equipment for major global customers.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of next-generation power device market
  • Increasing demand for compound semiconductor applications
  • Diversification of global semiconductor production bases
  • Advancement of environmentally compatible technologies and growing needs
  • Spread of MEMS market in automotive and medical fields
  • Increasing demand for technical customization domestically and internationally
  • New technology creation through strengthened R&D capabilities
  • Expansion of sales networks in Asia and North America
  • Advanced customer support via manufacturing DX
  • Response to stricter regulations on energy-saving and eco-friendly products

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve 70% global market sales ratio
  • Expand equipment lineup for next-generation materials
  • 50% or more ratio of low-environmental-impact products
  • Annual R&D investment of 1 billion yen or more
  • Over 2 billion yen in sales from new business areas
  • Complete global service network at major hubs
  • Expand ratio of custom equipment orders
  • Market development in new material processing fields beyond semiconductors
  • Enhance employee technical training and welfare
  • Establish sustainable management structure

Business Segments

Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment

Overview
Provides essential equipment lineup for cutting-edge semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing.
Competitiveness
Possesses liquid source CVD and Tornado ICP technologies, with strong deep trench capabilities.
Customers
  • Semiconductor manufacturers
  • Electronic component manufacturers
  • Research institutions
  • Universities
  • Power device companies
  • LED manufacturers
  • MEMS development companies
Products
  • Plasma CVD Equipment
  • Dry Etching Equipment
  • ALD Equipment
  • Cleaning Equipment
  • High-Speed Deep Etching Equipment

R&D Support

Overview
Promotes research and development through customized equipment and technical support.
Competitiveness
High-quality services by specialist engineers and extensive equipment control expertise.
Customers
  • University labs
  • Industrial research institutions
  • Semiconductor startups
  • Materials development companies
Products
  • Equipment customization services
  • Technical consulting
  • Nano thin-film development center

Overseas Service Network

Overview
Deploys rapid maintenance services through bases in Asia and the US.
Competitiveness
Strong customer support via bases in Taiwan, China, US, and Singapore.
Customers
  • Overseas semiconductor manufacturers
  • Local research institutions
Products
  • Maintenance services
  • Technical support
  • Spare parts supply

Specialized Equipment for Power Devices

Overview
Provides specialized equipment for next-generation power device manufacturing.
Competitiveness
Advanced material compatibility technology and high-quality thin-film formation control.
Customers
  • GaN device manufacturers
  • SiC device manufacturers
  • Power semiconductor manufacturers
Products
  • Gallium nitride-compatible CVD equipment
  • SiC epitaxial growth equipment
  • High-precision etching equipment

MEMS Manufacturing Equipment

Overview
Develops and sells MEMS equipment that achieves high-aspect-ratio processing.
Competitiveness
High-precision processing via deep trench etching technology.
Customers
  • Automotive parts manufacturers
  • Medical device manufacturers
  • Sensing device manufacturers
Products
  • Bosch process-compatible etching equipment
  • Fine processing dry etching equipment

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • High technological capabilities and specialized product lineup
  • Track record of over 4,000 cumulative equipment sales
  • Exclusive license for Bosch process
  • Global service network
  • Stable R&D based in Kyoto
  • Safety and performance of liquid source CVD technology
  • Pioneer in deep trench etching technology
  • Enhanced support for power device materials
  • High customization capabilities
  • Compatibility with diverse semiconductor applications

Competitive Advantages

  • Specialized in compound semiconductor manufacturing equipment with strong market expertise
  • Achieves uniform processing quality with proprietary Tornado ICP coil design
  • Maintains long-term trusted relationships with major domestic and international customers
  • Superiority in MEMS field through deep trench etching technology
  • Well-established R&D and customer support systems
  • Differentiation from competitors via support for advanced materials in power devices
  • Service network spanning Shanghai, Taiwan, US, and Southeast Asia
  • Equipment reliability backed by know-how and technological assets accumulated since founding
  • Superiority of liquid source CVD technology with safety considerations
  • Rapid response to diverse design changes and customization needs

Threats

  • Demand fluctuations due to global semiconductor market cycles
  • Risk of declining competitiveness from delays in adapting to new materials or technologies
  • Market share pressure from overseas competitors' expansion
  • Rapid pace of technological innovation in semiconductor manufacturing
  • Earnings impact from exchange rate fluctuations
  • Risk of reduced equipment orders due to changes in major customers' production plans
  • Supply chain disruptions from pandemics like COVID-19
  • Risks of cyberattacks and intellectual property infringement
  • Increased product development and manufacturing costs from stricter environmental regulations
  • Risk of unrecovered R&D investments

Innovations

2022: Establishment of Nano Thin-Film Development Center

Overview
Opened a state-of-the-art thin-film technology research facility in the second R&D building.
Impact
Contributes to accelerating development of next-generation device-compatible technologies.

2021: Launch of Cluster Tool 'ClusterH™' for Electronic Devices

Overview
Released the latest cluster tool integrating multiple manufacturing processes.
Impact
Achieves improved production efficiency and enhanced equipment functionality.

2020: Development of New Model Aqua Plasma Cleaning Equipment

Overview
Renewed environmentally friendly plasma-activated water cleaning equipment with enhanced performance.
Impact
Balances higher cleaning performance with reduced environmental impact.

2024: Expansion of SiC Epitaxial Growth Equipment Sales for Power Devices

Overview
Strengthened sales of SiC equipment through partnership with Sweden's Epiluvac.
Impact
Captures growth in energy storage and automotive device markets.

Sustainability

  • Expansion of equipment lineup with low environmental impact technologies
  • Promotion of energy-saving equipment design and provision
  • Strengthening waste reduction and resource recycling
  • Employee environmental education and occupational health & safety management
  • Active participation in local environmental protection activities
  • Introduction of internationally compliant environmental management systems
  • Reduction of waste through equipment longevity
  • Application of environmental standards in supply chain
  • Maintenance and renewal of ISO 14001 certification