Statement of the Chairman and the CEO

Record results for Comet in a year marked by global turbulence.

With sales of CHF 586 million and net income of CHF 78 million in 2022, Comet is again presenting record results, achieved in a very difficult year marked by global turbulence, supply bottlenecks, export restrictions, the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The Board of Directors would like to express its sincere thanks to our customers, employees and suppliers, who made this achievement possible.

In this environment, our focus on our core technologies of plasma control and x-ray once again proved its worth. Through accelerated innovation, new products were brought to market, while costs were reduced thanks to significant improvements in manufacturing processes and a higher share of our manufacturing output being produced in Malaysia.

We reached a significant milestone in 2022 with the expansion of our product and service portfolio for the semiconductor and electronics market by launching certain key innovations.

Comet is one of the few companies to deliver critical technology across the whole microchip manufacturing value chain: At the front end – the core of the semiconductor manufacturing process – our RF power systems enable high-precision control of plasma processes. At the back end, in chip assembly, our x-ray modules and x-ray systems are used to inspect the finished, ever-smaller microchips and increase efficiency.

We are in an era of digitalization driven by data, artificial intelligence and connectivity. This means that, despite the temporary downturn that we are currently seeing, underlying longer-term demand for microchips is growing. In the transition year 2023, we continue to prepare for the moment when this major uptrend will reassert itself: by investing in strategic innovation, investing in the high-performance, scalable organization that we need in a world of increased complexity, and investing in our presence close to customers.

With innovations such as the Synertia® platform for real-time plasma process control, and software for increasing productivity via x-ray inspection, in 2022 we successfully consolidated our technology leadership in our principal market of semiconductor & electronics. We were also able to position ourselves favorably in the automotive, aerospace and security markets with new and digital offerings, thus laying the foundation for future growth.

We also strengthened our global positioning in 2022. Customer proximity and continuity are high priorities for us, particularly in view of the ongoing geopolitical tensions. With the decision to expand the production space in Malaysia, we have paved the way for supporting the growth of our customers in Asia even more flexibly and efficiently going forward. At the same time, we have begun to bolster our presence in Silicon Valley by preparing to consolidate our individual sites in a sustainable single facility.

Our future is inextricably linked to our ability to operate sustainably and do justice to all our stakeholders. Resource conservation is a key factor in this, as is the development of our employees, solidarity with those in need, support for education, and diversity. Comet continued its work in these important areas in 2022, and created a roadmap that sets sustainability goals. In addition, we integrated ESG criteria into the long-term variable compensation of the Executive Committee as part of a realignment of the compensation system, which will take effect in 2023. Our ambition is to become an industry leader in sustainability over the coming years and create value beyond shareholder returns.

Comet is soundly positioned and is good at overcoming challenges, a strength we have proven time and again in our 75-year history. This resilience is part of what we celebrate in our anniversary year of 2023, for which our theme is “Exploring for better.” Exploring new territory, seizing opportunities, developing novel solutions for our customers, and thus helping to create a better, well-livable tomorrow for all of us – this is not just part of Comet’s eventful history, it is also our DNA for the future.

The progress that Comet achieved amid the uncertainties of 2022 makes us optimistic for the years ahead. The markets in which we operate have above-average long-term growth. Comet has learned to deal with interim market corrections and has a consistent track record of adapting quickly to new situations.

In 2023, we will continue to exploit opportunities and pursue existing strategies as well as efficiency improvements, together with our more than 1,700 employees worldwide and in collaboration with our customers. We are ready to meet the challenges ahead, and ready to participate in the coming upswing from the very start.

We sincerely thank our shareholders for their loyalty to our company.

Heinz Kundert
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Comet Holding AG

Stephan Haferl
CEO of the Comet Group

Expert view

75 years in business – Comet through the eyes of fellow travelers.

Trends & Technologies – X-ray 4.0: Analyzing nanostructures in real time.

People & Planet – Breaking rules, for a better future.

Addresses

More record results for Comet