Here’s a game-changer in the world of foldable smartphones: YEST, a leading equipment manufacturer, has just secured a major deal to supply ultra-thin glass (UTG) laminators to Fine M-Tec, a key player in producing back plates for these innovative devices. But here’s where it gets exciting: this isn’t just a one-off order. YEST is poised to become a major partner as Fine M-Tec prepares to build over twenty UTG lamination lines, with the latest order covering two of them. And this is the part most people miss: UTGs are the unsung heroes of foldable screens, placed on top to ensure durability and flexibility—a critical component in the foldable phone revolution.
YEST’s expertise lies in its vacuum chambers and film auto laminators, which are essential for applying screen protectors like UTGs. With this deal, YEST is projecting a staggering 40 billion won in revenue from foldable phone component equipment sales alone—a massive leap from the 11 billion won it earned in the first three quarters of this year. But here’s the controversial part: can YEST sustain this growth, especially when its fab equipment for semiconductor production still dominates its revenue stream, accounting for 85% of its total earnings last year?
To put it in perspective, YEST’s display production equipment, which includes UTG laminators, generated only 12.3 billion won last year. However, the company is betting big on the foldable phone market and the high demand for chips in 2024. With remaining orders expected to hit 70 billion won by year-end, YEST is clearly positioning itself as a key player in the next wave of tech innovation. But here’s the question: Is the foldable phone market growing fast enough to justify YEST’s ambitious projections, or is the company overestimating its potential? Let’s discuss—what’s your take on YEST’s strategy and the future of foldable technology?
