Financial Results

The light sources business overall recorded strong results, aided by the influence of a weak yen.

UV lamps for lithography had strong replacement demand mainly from the semiconductor field, which maintained high capacity utilization rates, but sales were basically flat due to the continued increased use of long-life types. Xenon lamps for cinema projectors face a downward trend in shipments of digital cinema projectors, but sales remained robust with an overall increase in units shipped, centered on developing markets. Lamps for data projectors were steady, both for high-end and halogen lamps. In solid-state light sources, sales expanded due to increased demand for laser light sources for projectors and the addition to the USHIO Group of USHIO OPTO SEMICONDUCTORS, INC. As a result, sales of discharge lamps were brisk.

Halogen lamps performed strongly due to brisk demand from office automation equipment set manufacturers.

As a result, sales in the light sources business increased by 13.2% year on year to ¥71,948 million. Segment profit was up by 7.3% year on year to ¥10,074 million.

Among discharge lamps, UV lamps for both semiconductor and LCD equipment maintained high capacity utilization rates while use of long-life types is expected to continue. Sales of cinema lamps are projected to increase due to a rising number of digital cinema screens in newly developing markets, centered on China, but anxieties remain about the influence of reduced prices due to fierce competition. In solid-state light sources, demand is expected to continue expanding for laser light sources for projectors.

Halogen lamps are expected to move forward due to brisk demand from office automation equipment set manufacturers.

As a result, we are planning for increased sales and profits in the light sources business during the year ending March 31, 2016.