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Berani Elite	06-Feb-2018 17:10        Berani About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	this stock a bit slow.... but close 0.069 happy liao.... hope contra period sold with profit leh guards80      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 17:06) Posted: tonight need US green light then tmr will up already TigTig      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 17:04) Posted: Hesitated. Else could get at 67 today. Close 69. Tom may go back up 7 again
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guards80 Supreme	06-Feb-2018 17:06        guards80 About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	tonight need US green light then tmr will up already TigTig      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 17:04) Posted: Hesitated. Else could get at 67 today. Close 69. Tom may go back up 7 again. guards80      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 16:39) Posted: have u bought
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TigTig Master	06-Feb-2018 17:04        TigTig About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	Hesitated. Else could get at 67 today. Close 69. Tom may go back up 7 again. guards80      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 16:39) Posted: have u bought? fatpanda      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 15:10) Posted: It was a dream yesterday, but the dream become true. 68c!!
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guards80 Supreme	06-Feb-2018 16:53        guards80 About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	tonight dow green jep will rally
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guards80 Supreme	06-Feb-2018 16:39        guards80 About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	have u bought? fatpanda      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 15:10) Posted: It was a dream yesterday, but the dream become true. 68c!!! Jackwoo      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 14:56) Posted: JEP hold so well at 67 cents.  Buy more at 68
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josephyeo Elite	06-Feb-2018 16:35        josephyeo About Contact  Quote this Post! Style: Fundamental
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	Thank you for sharing! RAIN91      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 13:18) Posted: Corporate: Buying controlling stake in JEP enables UMS to tap aerospace manufacturing Over the last 12 months, many precision manufacturing companies have done well on the back of a global semiconductor rally. This includes UMS Holdings, which provides equipment manufacturing and engineering services to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of semiconductors and related products. Shares of the company more than doubled to close at $1.07, or 13.6 times its historical earnings, on Jan 30. UMS currently has a market capitalisation of $573.9 million. But now that the semiconductor rally has run considerably, growth ahead may not be as fast paced as before. UMS chairman and CEO Andy Luong reckons that a diversification into aerospace manufacturing could continue to drive growth for the company. And he thinks that the best way to do so is through the acquisition of a controlling stake in JEP Holdings. JEP provides precision machining and engineering services, mainly to the aerospace industry via its subsidiary JEP Precision Engineering (JEPS). The latter has built a track record since 1990 as a reliable subcontractor for aerospace components and is accredited with AS9100, Ohsas and Nadcap. JEPS is now part of the global supply chain for the world?s leading aircraft manufacturers for instance, it makes casings for aircraft engines designed and built by Pratt & Whitney. JEP also owns a large-format precision engineering company called Dolphin Engineering and a trading business called JEP Industrades. The latter sells cutting tools used in manufacturing activities for various industries such as ­aerospace, mould and die, and oil and gas (O&G). On Jan 15, UMS acquired 109 million shares in JEP for $5.7 million, or an average price of 5.2 cents apiece, on the open market. The next day, the company bought 320 million shares for seven cents a share via married deals. This represented a premium of 16.7% to JEP?s closing price of six cents that day. Then, on Jan 17, it bought 864,300 shares for 6.687 cents apiece on the open market. Altogether, UMS paid about $28.2 million for a 29.5% stake in JEP. These transactions reduced the stakes of other existing major shareholders, such as JEP executive director Zee Hoong Huay, and executive chairman and CEO Joe Lau, to 12.5% and 3.1%, respectively. The shareholding of the other major shareholder, semiconductor equipment manufacturer Ellipsiz, remained unchanged at 12%, according to Bloomberg data. ?People ask why I pay such a high price [for JEP]. I say: ?You will never buy JEP wrongly. You can only buy JEP more expensively.? I?m not afraid that the price is expensive I?m [only] afraid I cannot own it. So, now I take the opportunity ? on a willing-seller-willing-buyer basis ? to own the majority [stake],? Luong tells The Edge Singapore in a recent interview. ?Aerospace is not something you can start right away. You need to have track record. You need to have certification. More importantly, you need client referral. But now, [with JEP], immediately we can grow.? Turning around JEP It is no secret that UMS has harboured intentions to venture into aerospace manufacturing for some time now. In fact, the company made a ?small? investment in a Penang-based aerospace start-up called AllStar Manufacturing in 2016. AllStar has the necessary aerospace certifications and has been qualified by a major Tier 1 aerospace vendor to supply aircraft components. However, UMS only sees AllStar as an ?investment?. AllStar had wanted to use UMS? facilities and premises and offered a stake in return, Luong explains. UMS is not involved in AllStar?s day-to-day operations, he adds. Luong says JEP presented UMS with the right opportunity because the former?s business model and heritage are similar to the latter?s businesses. JEP was known as Alantac Technology when it was listed in 2004. The company was involved in making semiconductor manufacturing equipment before shifting to manufacturing for the higher-margin aerospace and O&G industries. JEP was renamed in May 2010 to reflect its new focus. This was after JEP acquired an 85% stake in JEPS for $23.8 million in cash and shares in 2007. Interestingly, Luong has had dealings with JEP before. He was a shareholder of the company and about a decade ago, had served for a year as its non-executive chairman. ?I have known JEP for many years,? he says. ?JEP has similarity with UMS. We have the same genes.? However, JEP has not been doing well financially. The company?s performance for 1HFY2017 ended June 30 was weak, with earnings of only $10,000 compared with a loss of $236,000 a year ago. This is despite a y-o-y 11.1% growth in revenue to $39.5 million, driven by higher revenue contribution from its electronics, equipment manufacturing, and trading and others segments. The company is also in a net-debt position of $36.6 million. Luong is unfazed, though. ?I often say you must take some risks. You cannot do business with 100% guarantee [for success]. The risk is manageable [at our shareholding level in JEP],? he says. ?But from now, it is a different story. Everything starts from a different strategy and portfolio, as I will take a major role in the company.? Importantly, he has set out a plan to help turn around the company and make it profitable in the next two to three years. ?I would not be shy to tell you that at some point in time, I would like to [transform] JEP into a dividend-paying company,? he says. ?UMS historically has taken care of shareholders [by paying dividends]. I would like to continue that at JEP.? The key to improving JEP?s profitability is to help it manage costs, says Luong. Unlike UMS, all of JEP?s four manufacturing facilities are located in Singapore. Luong says he will look into how JEP can relocate some of the facilities to cheaper places, such as Malaysia or Vietnam. ?To be able to make money in JEP, you need to have a cost model. You cannot do everything in Singapore dollars.? Opportunities in aerospace manufacturing Luong says he sees plenty of opportunities in the aerospace manufacturing industry, especially in China. This is because the country has few suppliers with the required level of expertise and accreditation. At the same time, demand for aerospace components is rising as aircraft manufacturers are receiving more orders from airline companies. Moreover, aerospace manufacturing contracts give good earnings visibility over the long term as they usually last from five to 10 years, Luong notes. Last September, JEP announced the setting up of a 50:50 joint venture company with China-based Kun Shan Hang Fu Investment. The JV company will provide precision machining and engineering services primarily in the ­aerospace industry. ?Because China has a shortage of suppliers, we see the country as the No 1 [market to enter],? says Luong, adding that the JEP would also target the markets in North America and Europe. ?The JV company should get contracts from original equipment manufacturers.? According to Frost & Sullivan, 38,050 aircraft are forecast to be delivered from 2015 to 2034, with most of them going to Asia-Pacific. The consulting firm says Asia-Pacific will become the world?s second-largest region for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services by 2024. As for the semiconductor industry, Luong still sees a positive outlook this year and next despite the rally last year. He says supply of semiconductor manufacturing equipment is still outpaced by demand from OEMs. ?To add another supplier may take a long time, up to six to 12 months, to qualify as a vendor. Customers don?t have the luxury of waiting. So, it becomes high demand,? he says. Fortunately for UMS, the company has already begun to expand its manufacturing capacity, which is at ?peak? level currently, says Luong. Last year, UMS announced an investment of RM80 million ($26.8 million) in Malaysia that will add new machinery, equipment and clean rooms. ?If we don?t have this kind of vision, we can?t even plan for next year. For a manufacturer, if you want to build new manufacturing lines, it takes six to nine months. So, you need to plan earlier,? explains Luong. UMS? main customer is US-listed Applied Materials, which is also a shareholder of the company through its nominee Morgan Stanley Asia (Singapore) Securities. Applied Materials used to be a substantial shareholder of the company, holding a 6% stake in 2013. ?We work closely with them. Our relationship is still very good,? says Luong. Luong says Kalf Engineering, which provides water and chemical engineering solutions, is a promising business, but a long-term play. Last March, UMS announced that it had completed subscribing for 1.07 million new shares in Kalf, representing 51% of the total enlarged share capital. The company paid $990,000 in cash for the stake. Kalf is not profitable now, but Luong says the company is bidding for several projects in impoverished areas that have limited access to clean water. Kalf is also bidding for water treatment projects for power plants. But this will take time and will not be earnings-accretive in the immediate term. Luong says he sees the most opportunities in water treatment projects in underdeveloped countries, particularly Chinese cities along the old Silk Road, which are opening up to development and infrastructure as part of China?s One Belt, One Road initiative. ?There?s a lot of underground water. But people there don?t have money to access it.? In the meantime, Kalf has existing water treatment contracts here with Senoko and also Johor, Saudi Arabia and Cambodia, but they are small in value. ?Dream big? The diversification into the aerospace manufacturing and water treatment industries will not be at the expense of cutting or shelving dividend payments to UMS shareholders, according to Luong, who owns a 20.1% stake in UMS. ?We spend money to make money, not spend money to lose money,? he says. ?I want to build this company to a market capitalisation of $2 billion. But you have to deliver. You cannot just sit there and hope it will [happen]. You have to work hard and find a way.? Luong knows the meaning of hard work and hardship. After fleeing Vietnam in the 1970s with his family, he ended up in Silicon Valley. In 1984, he founded UMS with his wife Sylvia. The couple later brought the company to Singapore at the urging of the Economic Development Board. Luong still recalls his father?s words when they lost everything on leaving their homeland: ?My father said: ?Don?t worry son, [though] we lose everything, it?s okay. We can start all over again.? Luong, who turns 58 in May, says he made his first $1 million when he was 21 years old. ?If I were to give advice, on why I do things other people don?t, it?s this: ?You want to look ahead and dream big.? People who give up say they have enough.?
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fatpanda Supreme	06-Feb-2018 15:10        fatpanda About Contact  Quote this Post! Style: Technical   Mood: Yells: "Another wonderful day!"
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	It was a dream yesterday, but the dream become true. 68c!!! Jackwoo      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 14:56) Posted: JEP hold so well at 67 cents.  Buy more at 68. guards80      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 11:57) Posted: huat ah... 67 support very wel
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guards80 Supreme	06-Feb-2018 15:08        guards80 About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	where u get this? RAIN91      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 13:18) Posted: Corporate: Buying controlling stake in JEP enables UMS to tap aerospace manufacturing Over the last 12 months, many precision manufacturing companies have done well on the back of a global semiconductor rally. This includes UMS Holdings, which provides equipment manufacturing and engineering services to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of semiconductors and related products. Shares of the company more than doubled to close at $1.07, or 13.6 times its historical earnings, on Jan 30. UMS currently has a market capitalisation of $573.9 million. But now that the semiconductor rally has run considerably, growth ahead may not be as fast paced as before. UMS chairman and CEO Andy Luong reckons that a diversification into aerospace manufacturing could continue to drive growth for the company. And he thinks that the best way to do so is through the acquisition of a controlling stake in JEP Holdings. JEP provides precision machining and engineering services, mainly to the aerospace industry via its subsidiary JEP Precision Engineering (JEPS). The latter has built a track record since 1990 as a reliable subcontractor for aerospace components and is accredited with AS9100, Ohsas and Nadcap. JEPS is now part of the global supply chain for the world?s leading aircraft manufacturers for instance, it makes casings for aircraft engines designed and built by Pratt & Whitney. JEP also owns a large-format precision engineering company called Dolphin Engineering and a trading business called JEP Industrades. The latter sells cutting tools used in manufacturing activities for various industries such as ­aerospace, mould and die, and oil and gas (O&G). On Jan 15, UMS acquired 109 million shares in JEP for $5.7 million, or an average price of 5.2 cents apiece, on the open market. The next day, the company bought 320 million shares for seven cents a share via married deals. This represented a premium of 16.7% to JEP?s closing price of six cents that day. Then, on Jan 17, it bought 864,300 shares for 6.687 cents apiece on the open market. Altogether, UMS paid about $28.2 million for a 29.5% stake in JEP. These transactions reduced the stakes of other existing major shareholders, such as JEP executive director Zee Hoong Huay, and executive chairman and CEO Joe Lau, to 12.5% and 3.1%, respectively. The shareholding of the other major shareholder, semiconductor equipment manufacturer Ellipsiz, remained unchanged at 12%, according to Bloomberg data. ?People ask why I pay such a high price [for JEP]. I say: ?You will never buy JEP wrongly. You can only buy JEP more expensively.? I?m not afraid that the price is expensive I?m [only] afraid I cannot own it. So, now I take the opportunity ? on a willing-seller-willing-buyer basis ? to own the majority [stake],? Luong tells The Edge Singapore in a recent interview. ?Aerospace is not something you can start right away. You need to have track record. You need to have certification. More importantly, you need client referral. But now, [with JEP], immediately we can grow.? Turning around JEP It is no secret that UMS has harboured intentions to venture into aerospace manufacturing for some time now. In fact, the company made a ?small? investment in a Penang-based aerospace start-up called AllStar Manufacturing in 2016. AllStar has the necessary aerospace certifications and has been qualified by a major Tier 1 aerospace vendor to supply aircraft components. However, UMS only sees AllStar as an ?investment?. AllStar had wanted to use UMS? facilities and premises and offered a stake in return, Luong explains. UMS is not involved in AllStar?s day-to-day operations, he adds. Luong says JEP presented UMS with the right opportunity because the former?s business model and heritage are similar to the latter?s businesses. JEP was known as Alantac Technology when it was listed in 2004. The company was involved in making semiconductor manufacturing equipment before shifting to manufacturing for the higher-margin aerospace and O&G industries. JEP was renamed in May 2010 to reflect its new focus. This was after JEP acquired an 85% stake in JEPS for $23.8 million in cash and shares in 2007. Interestingly, Luong has had dealings with JEP before. He was a shareholder of the company and about a decade ago, had served for a year as its non-executive chairman. ?I have known JEP for many years,? he says. ?JEP has similarity with UMS. We have the same genes.? However, JEP has not been doing well financially. The company?s performance for 1HFY2017 ended June 30 was weak, with earnings of only $10,000 compared with a loss of $236,000 a year ago. This is despite a y-o-y 11.1% growth in revenue to $39.5 million, driven by higher revenue contribution from its electronics, equipment manufacturing, and trading and others segments. The company is also in a net-debt position of $36.6 million. Luong is unfazed, though. ?I often say you must take some risks. You cannot do business with 100% guarantee [for success]. The risk is manageable [at our shareholding level in JEP],? he says. ?But from now, it is a different story. Everything starts from a different strategy and portfolio, as I will take a major role in the company.? Importantly, he has set out a plan to help turn around the company and make it profitable in the next two to three years. ?I would not be shy to tell you that at some point in time, I would like to [transform] JEP into a dividend-paying company,? he says. ?UMS historically has taken care of shareholders [by paying dividends]. I would like to continue that at JEP.? The key to improving JEP?s profitability is to help it manage costs, says Luong. Unlike UMS, all of JEP?s four manufacturing facilities are located in Singapore. Luong says he will look into how JEP can relocate some of the facilities to cheaper places, such as Malaysia or Vietnam. ?To be able to make money in JEP, you need to have a cost model. You cannot do everything in Singapore dollars.? Opportunities in aerospace manufacturing Luong says he sees plenty of opportunities in the aerospace manufacturing industry, especially in China. This is because the country has few suppliers with the required level of expertise and accreditation. At the same time, demand for aerospace components is rising as aircraft manufacturers are receiving more orders from airline companies. Moreover, aerospace manufacturing contracts give good earnings visibility over the long term as they usually last from five to 10 years, Luong notes. Last September, JEP announced the setting up of a 50:50 joint venture company with China-based Kun Shan Hang Fu Investment. The JV company will provide precision machining and engineering services primarily in the ­aerospace industry. ?Because China has a shortage of suppliers, we see the country as the No 1 [market to enter],? says Luong, adding that the JEP would also target the markets in North America and Europe. ?The JV company should get contracts from original equipment manufacturers.? According to Frost & Sullivan, 38,050 aircraft are forecast to be delivered from 2015 to 2034, with most of them going to Asia-Pacific. The consulting firm says Asia-Pacific will become the world?s second-largest region for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services by 2024. As for the semiconductor industry, Luong still sees a positive outlook this year and next despite the rally last year. He says supply of semiconductor manufacturing equipment is still outpaced by demand from OEMs. ?To add another supplier may take a long time, up to six to 12 months, to qualify as a vendor. Customers don?t have the luxury of waiting. So, it becomes high demand,? he says. Fortunately for UMS, the company has already begun to expand its manufacturing capacity, which is at ?peak? level currently, says Luong. Last year, UMS announced an investment of RM80 million ($26.8 million) in Malaysia that will add new machinery, equipment and clean rooms. ?If we don?t have this kind of vision, we can?t even plan for next year. For a manufacturer, if you want to build new manufacturing lines, it takes six to nine months. So, you need to plan earlier,? explains Luong. UMS? main customer is US-listed Applied Materials, which is also a shareholder of the company through its nominee Morgan Stanley Asia (Singapore) Securities. Applied Materials used to be a substantial shareholder of the company, holding a 6% stake in 2013. ?We work closely with them. Our relationship is still very good,? says Luong. Luong says Kalf Engineering, which provides water and chemical engineering solutions, is a promising business, but a long-term play. Last March, UMS announced that it had completed subscribing for 1.07 million new shares in Kalf, representing 51% of the total enlarged share capital. The company paid $990,000 in cash for the stake. Kalf is not profitable now, but Luong says the company is bidding for several projects in impoverished areas that have limited access to clean water. Kalf is also bidding for water treatment projects for power plants. But this will take time and will not be earnings-accretive in the immediate term. Luong says he sees the most opportunities in water treatment projects in underdeveloped countries, particularly Chinese cities along the old Silk Road, which are opening up to development and infrastructure as part of China?s One Belt, One Road initiative. ?There?s a lot of underground water. But people there don?t have money to access it.? In the meantime, Kalf has existing water treatment contracts here with Senoko and also Johor, Saudi Arabia and Cambodia, but they are small in value. ?Dream big? The diversification into the aerospace manufacturing and water treatment industries will not be at the expense of cutting or shelving dividend payments to UMS shareholders, according to Luong, who owns a 20.1% stake in UMS. ?We spend money to make money, not spend money to lose money,? he says. ?I want to build this company to a market capitalisation of $2 billion. But you have to deliver. You cannot just sit there and hope it will [happen]. You have to work hard and find a way.? Luong knows the meaning of hard work and hardship. After fleeing Vietnam in the 1970s with his family, he ended up in Silicon Valley. In 1984, he founded UMS with his wife Sylvia. The couple later brought the company to Singapore at the urging of the Economic Development Board. Luong still recalls his father?s words when they lost everything on leaving their homeland: ?My father said: ?Don?t worry son, [though] we lose everything, it?s okay. We can start all over again.? Luong, who turns 58 in May, says he made his first $1 million when he was 21 years old. ?If I were to give advice, on why I do things other people don?t, it?s this: ?You want to look ahead and dream big.? People who give up say they have enough.?
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Jackwoo Veteran	06-Feb-2018 14:56        Jackwoo About Contact  Quote this Post! Style: Technical   Mood:
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	JEP hold so well at 67 cents.  Buy more at 68. guards80      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 11:57) Posted: huat ah... 67 support very well Berani      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 09:34) Posted: i Bought! But the new shares want to sell within short period.. :
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RAIN91 Member	06-Feb-2018 13:18        RAIN91 About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 1   x 0  Alert Admin	Corporate: Buying controlling stake in JEP enables UMS to tap aerospace manufacturing Over the last 12 months, many precision manufacturing companies have done well on the back of a global semiconductor rally. This includes UMS Holdings, which provides equipment manufacturing and engineering services to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of semiconductors and related products. Shares of the company more than doubled to close at $1.07, or 13.6 times its historical earnings, on Jan 30. UMS currently has a market capitalisation of $573.9 million. But now that the semiconductor rally has run considerably, growth ahead may not be as fast paced as before. UMS chairman and CEO Andy Luong reckons that a diversification into aerospace manufacturing could continue to drive growth for the company. And he thinks that the best way to do so is through the acquisition of a controlling stake in JEP Holdings. JEP provides precision machining and engineering services, mainly to the aerospace industry via its subsidiary JEP Precision Engineering (JEPS). The latter has built a track record since 1990 as a reliable subcontractor for aerospace components and is accredited with AS9100, Ohsas and Nadcap. JEPS is now part of the global supply chain for the world?s leading aircraft manufacturers for instance, it makes casings for aircraft engines designed and built by Pratt & Whitney. JEP also owns a large-format precision engineering company called Dolphin Engineering and a trading business called JEP Industrades. The latter sells cutting tools used in manufacturing activities for various industries such as ­aerospace, mould and die, and oil and gas (O&G). On Jan 15, UMS acquired 109 million shares in JEP for $5.7 million, or an average price of 5.2 cents apiece, on the open market. The next day, the company bought 320 million shares for seven cents a share via married deals. This represented a premium of 16.7% to JEP?s closing price of six cents that day. Then, on Jan 17, it bought 864,300 shares for 6.687 cents apiece on the open market. Altogether, UMS paid about $28.2 million for a 29.5% stake in JEP. These transactions reduced the stakes of other existing major shareholders, such as JEP executive director Zee Hoong Huay, and executive chairman and CEO Joe Lau, to 12.5% and 3.1%, respectively. The shareholding of the other major shareholder, semiconductor equipment manufacturer Ellipsiz, remained unchanged at 12%, according to Bloomberg data. ?People ask why I pay such a high price [for JEP]. I say: ?You will never buy JEP wrongly. You can only buy JEP more expensively.? I?m not afraid that the price is expensive I?m [only] afraid I cannot own it. So, now I take the opportunity ? on a willing-seller-willing-buyer basis ? to own the majority [stake],? Luong tells The Edge Singapore in a recent interview. ?Aerospace is not something you can start right away. You need to have track record. You need to have certification. More importantly, you need client referral. But now, [with JEP], immediately we can grow.? Turning around JEP It is no secret that UMS has harboured intentions to venture into aerospace manufacturing for some time now. In fact, the company made a ?small? investment in a Penang-based aerospace start-up called AllStar Manufacturing in 2016. AllStar has the necessary aerospace certifications and has been qualified by a major Tier 1 aerospace vendor to supply aircraft components. However, UMS only sees AllStar as an ?investment?. AllStar had wanted to use UMS? facilities and premises and offered a stake in return, Luong explains. UMS is not involved in AllStar?s day-to-day operations, he adds. Luong says JEP presented UMS with the right opportunity because the former?s business model and heritage are similar to the latter?s businesses. JEP was known as Alantac Technology when it was listed in 2004. The company was involved in making semiconductor manufacturing equipment before shifting to manufacturing for the higher-margin aerospace and O&G industries. JEP was renamed in May 2010 to reflect its new focus. This was after JEP acquired an 85% stake in JEPS for $23.8 million in cash and shares in 2007. Interestingly, Luong has had dealings with JEP before. He was a shareholder of the company and about a decade ago, had served for a year as its non-executive chairman. ?I have known JEP for many years,? he says. ?JEP has similarity with UMS. We have the same genes.? However, JEP has not been doing well financially. The company?s performance for 1HFY2017 ended June 30 was weak, with earnings of only $10,000 compared with a loss of $236,000 a year ago. This is despite a y-o-y 11.1% growth in revenue to $39.5 million, driven by higher revenue contribution from its electronics, equipment manufacturing, and trading and others segments. The company is also in a net-debt position of $36.6 million. Luong is unfazed, though. ?I often say you must take some risks. You cannot do business with 100% guarantee [for success]. The risk is manageable [at our shareholding level in JEP],? he says. ?But from now, it is a different story. Everything starts from a different strategy and portfolio, as I will take a major role in the company.? Importantly, he has set out a plan to help turn around the company and make it profitable in the next two to three years. ?I would not be shy to tell you that at some point in time, I would like to [transform] JEP into a dividend-paying company,? he says. ?UMS historically has taken care of shareholders [by paying dividends]. I would like to continue that at JEP.? The key to improving JEP?s profitability is to help it manage costs, says Luong. Unlike UMS, all of JEP?s four manufacturing facilities are located in Singapore. Luong says he will look into how JEP can relocate some of the facilities to cheaper places, such as Malaysia or Vietnam. ?To be able to make money in JEP, you need to have a cost model. You cannot do everything in Singapore dollars.? Opportunities in aerospace manufacturing Luong says he sees plenty of opportunities in the aerospace manufacturing industry, especially in China. This is because the country has few suppliers with the required level of expertise and accreditation. At the same time, demand for aerospace components is rising as aircraft manufacturers are receiving more orders from airline companies. Moreover, aerospace manufacturing contracts give good earnings visibility over the long term as they usually last from five to 10 years, Luong notes. Last September, JEP announced the setting up of a 50:50 joint venture company with China-based Kun Shan Hang Fu Investment. The JV company will provide precision machining and engineering services primarily in the ­aerospace industry. ?Because China has a shortage of suppliers, we see the country as the No 1 [market to enter],? says Luong, adding that the JEP would also target the markets in North America and Europe. ?The JV company should get contracts from original equipment manufacturers.? According to Frost & Sullivan, 38,050 aircraft are forecast to be delivered from 2015 to 2034, with most of them going to Asia-Pacific. The consulting firm says Asia-Pacific will become the world?s second-largest region for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services by 2024. As for the semiconductor industry, Luong still sees a positive outlook this year and next despite the rally last year. He says supply of semiconductor manufacturing equipment is still outpaced by demand from OEMs. ?To add another supplier may take a long time, up to six to 12 months, to qualify as a vendor. Customers don?t have the luxury of waiting. So, it becomes high demand,? he says. Fortunately for UMS, the company has already begun to expand its manufacturing capacity, which is at ?peak? level currently, says Luong. Last year, UMS announced an investment of RM80 million ($26.8 million) in Malaysia that will add new machinery, equipment and clean rooms. ?If we don?t have this kind of vision, we can?t even plan for next year. For a manufacturer, if you want to build new manufacturing lines, it takes six to nine months. So, you need to plan earlier,? explains Luong. UMS? main customer is US-listed Applied Materials, which is also a shareholder of the company through its nominee Morgan Stanley Asia (Singapore) Securities. Applied Materials used to be a substantial shareholder of the company, holding a 6% stake in 2013. ?We work closely with them. Our relationship is still very good,? says Luong. Luong says Kalf Engineering, which provides water and chemical engineering solutions, is a promising business, but a long-term play. Last March, UMS announced that it had completed subscribing for 1.07 million new shares in Kalf, representing 51% of the total enlarged share capital. The company paid $990,000 in cash for the stake. Kalf is not profitable now, but Luong says the company is bidding for several projects in impoverished areas that have limited access to clean water. Kalf is also bidding for water treatment projects for power plants. But this will take time and will not be earnings-accretive in the immediate term. Luong says he sees the most opportunities in water treatment projects in underdeveloped countries, particularly Chinese cities along the old Silk Road, which are opening up to development and infrastructure as part of China?s One Belt, One Road initiative. ?There?s a lot of underground water. But people there don?t have money to access it.? In the meantime, Kalf has existing water treatment contracts here with Senoko and also Johor, Saudi Arabia and Cambodia, but they are small in value. ?Dream big? The diversification into the aerospace manufacturing and water treatment industries will not be at the expense of cutting or shelving dividend payments to UMS shareholders, according to Luong, who owns a 20.1% stake in UMS. ?We spend money to make money, not spend money to lose money,? he says. ?I want to build this company to a market capitalisation of $2 billion. But you have to deliver. You cannot just sit there and hope it will [happen]. You have to work hard and find a way.? Luong knows the meaning of hard work and hardship. After fleeing Vietnam in the 1970s with his family, he ended up in Silicon Valley. In 1984, he founded UMS with his wife Sylvia. The couple later brought the company to Singapore at the urging of the Economic Development Board. Luong still recalls his father?s words when they lost everything on leaving their homeland: ?My father said: ?Don?t worry son, [though] we lose everything, it?s okay. We can start all over again.? Luong, who turns 58 in May, says he made his first $1 million when he was 21 years old. ?If I were to give advice, on why I do things other people don?t, it?s this: ?You want to look ahead and dream big.? People who give up say they have enough.?
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guards80 Supreme	06-Feb-2018 11:57        guards80 About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	huat ah... 67 support very well Berani      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 09:34) Posted: i Bought! But the new shares want to sell within short period.. :) guards80      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 09:24) Posted: Cheap sales again who have bought 67??
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Berani Elite	06-Feb-2018 09:34        Berani About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	i Bought! But the new shares want to sell within short period.. :) guards80      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 09:24) Posted: Cheap sales again who have bought 67??
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guards80 Supreme	06-Feb-2018 09:24        guards80 About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	Cheap sales again who have bought 67??
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guards80 Supreme	06-Feb-2018 01:01        guards80 About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	haha edit already still same... =X Tiger04      ( Date: 06-Feb-2018 00:51) Posted: Aiyo so big waste data
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Tiger04 Senior	06-Feb-2018 00:51        Tiger04 About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	Aiyo so big waste data
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guards80 Supreme	06-Feb-2018 00:37        guards80 About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin
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TigTig Master	05-Feb-2018 11:41        TigTig About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	Can keep and wait. Once news this Jep will fly. UMS bought at 7 cents so the stock has a base to build from. Eventually will move beyond 8 c
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guards80 Supreme	05-Feb-2018 11:22        guards80 About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	u must thanks to US friday night drop so much if not u hard to buy at 69..... now recovery back to test 76 high again soon Starwar88      ( Date: 05-Feb-2018 09:35) Posted: Bought at 6.9 cents at opening. Cheong ah!!!
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Starwar88 Supreme	05-Feb-2018 09:35        Starwar88 About Contact  Quote this Post!
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	Bought at 6.9 cents at opening. Cheong ah!!!
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hmphie Veteran	04-Feb-2018 17:17        hmphie About Contact  Quote this Post! Style: Flexible   Mood:
x 0   x 0  Alert Admin	Got out at 74!
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