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(updated as at 4 July 2008)
BUSINESS
| Q |
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What is so special about Karrie's business model? |
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| A |
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- Normally we deal with projects, which can
take one year from initial project confirmation,
development and engineering works to final shipment
of goods. A project shipment cycle can run for
18 to 24 months.
- Usually we are the only vendor for a particular
project confirmed. Combined with the 18 to 24
months shipment cycle, we are bestowed with
relatively long-term business visibility. (2004/05
Annual Report, page 60)
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| Q |
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Would rising cost of raw material affect the performance of the Group? |
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| A |
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Under the Group's versatile 'Total Transparent Cost
Plus Pricing Mechanism' most of the raw materials
other than electro-galvanized steel plates are sourced
through the customers or though suppliers designated
by the customers. A rise in raw material price (other
than steel) has only a marginal impact on the bottom
line. (2004/05 Annual Report, page 18) |
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| Q |
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Experts say RMB is going to appreciate more in
the coming years. What is the impact on the Group? |
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| A |
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- RMB payments represents about 15% of the
total cost of sales.
- As most of our competitors are also based
in China and on the basis that customers stick
to their present purchasing practice, in theory
we could raise price to cover the increase in
cost over the time.
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| Q |
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Whom do Karrie sell to? |
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| A |
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Our products, including computer server casings, laser
printers, magnetic tape drive, are mainly sold to
multi-national customers. |
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CAPEX, DIVIDEND AND FINANCE
| Q |
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Are you worried about a high level of bank borrowings? |
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| A |
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- The Group's shareholders fund is much higher
than the non-current assets meaning that the
Group is financing its non-current assets through
stable shareholders' fund rather than bank borrowings;
- Any increase in net bank borrowings could
therefore be attributed to the increased working
capital requirement due to an increase in turnover.
This is a positive news but not the otherwise.
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| Q |
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What is the status of new Yu Quan Plants? |
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| A |
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- The site area of Yu Quan Plant is approximately
240,000 sq. m. as compared to the combined site
area of 89,000 sq. m. of the existing Yan Tien
Plant and Fenggang Plant;
- We will build Yu Quan Plants in various phases
depending on the economic conditions. Phase
I has launched production in October 2006;
- It is expected the Phase II of Yu Quan Plant
will be completed by end of 2008.
- The construction of Phase I of Yi Xing Plant
has commenced. The trial run is expected in
the 4th quarter of 2008.
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| Q |
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Is Karrie going to change its dividend policy
because of the capex and working capital requirements? |
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| A |
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- Our dividend policy is to pay out 30%* or
more of the profit attributable to shareholders;
- In 2007/08, we paid out a total of HK0.75
cents as dividend (payout ratio: 27%), making
the 11th year of unbroken dividend payment record;
*Remarks: Because of the importance of maintaining
financial stability in this crucial period of
a CAPEX cycle, the Directors reserve the right
of changing this guideline without prior notice.
*Remarks: Because of the importance of maintaining
financial stability in this crucial period of
a CAPEX cycle, the Directors reserve the right
of changing this guideline without prior notice.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND OTHERS
| Q |
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Should you worry about the corporate governance standard of Karrie? |
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| A |
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- For three consecutive years, fund managers
and research analysts have voted Karrie as one
of the best-managed companies in Hong Kong in
the Asiamoney Polls. In the 2004 Poll, Karrie
was voted as the second best in Corporate Governance
in Hong Kong. In 2005 Karrie was voted as the
best small cap in the same poll;
- We have made detailed explanation of corporate
strategies and the rationale behind in our annual
reports and our effort was recognised by Hong
Kong Management Association and awarded with
"Honorable Mentions" in 2006 and 2007 Best Annual
Report Award, also being awarded with 2007 IR
Magazine Award "Best Annual Report and Other
Corporate Literature" Award;
- Since 2001 the day-to-day operation of Karrie
has been in the hands of a group of professional
managers. The management team is not related
to the controlling shareholder;
- Karrie is also willing to share with shareholders
the wealth created through distribution of dividend.
Since 2000/01, the aggregated amount of the
Group's dividends paid/payable is around HK$568,806,000
or around 84% of the shareholders' fund as at
31 March 2008;
- To increase its transparency, Karrie
- a.
voluntarily announces quarterly result;
- b.
arranges "tea-breaks" with individual shareholders
half a year; and
- c.
publishes an easy-to-read annual reports
with graphs, tables and other useful information
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| Q |
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Who are the major shareholders? |
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| A |
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As at 15 June 2008,
- the Ho's family/Pearl Court Company Limited
held around 56% of the issued share capital
of the Company;
- Veer Palthe Voute NV held around 6% of the
issued share capital of the Company
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