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Universal Display Corporation (OLED) is a leading innovator in the research, development, and commercialization of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technologies and materials. The company specializes in providing advanced OLED materials and intellectual property for display and lighting applications. OLED sells proprietary materials, licenses its technologies, and offers development and support services to manufacturers worldwide.
- Sales of OLED Materials - Supplies proprietary OLED materials for evaluation, development, and commercial manufacturing, used in products such as mobile phones, televisions, monitors, wearables, tablets, notebook computers, personal computers, automotive displays, and lighting products.
- Intellectual Property and Technology Licensing - Licenses a portfolio of over 6,500 patents worldwide, enabling manufacturers to integrate OLED technologies into their products, with agreements often including royalty payments and non-refundable advances.
- Technology Development and Support - Collaborates with third parties to support the commercialization of OLED products, providing expertise and technical assistance.
- Contract Research Services - Conducts research and development in chemical materials synthesis for non-OLED applications, offering specialized services to external clients.
| Name | Position | External Roles | Short Bio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Steven V. Abramson ExecutiveBoard | President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director | Steven V. Abramson is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director at OLED, having been a member of the Board of Directors since May 1996. He previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer from May 1996 through December 2007, and held key roles at Roy F. Weston, Inc. and InterDigital, Inc.. | View Report → | |
Brian Millard Executive | Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer | Brian Millard has been serving as the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of Universal Display Corporation (OLED) since September 2022. Previously, he held key executive finance roles at Emergent BioSolutions and Hertz Global Holdings. | ||
Janice K. Mahon Executive | Senior Vice President, Technology Commercialization and General Manager, Commercial Sales Business | Janice K. Mahon is the Senior Vice President, Technology Commercialization and General Manager, Commercial Sales Business at Universal Display Corporation since April 2021. She previously served as Vice President of Technology Commercialization from January 1997 and as General Manager of PHOLED Material Sales Business beginning January 2007. | ||
Julia J. Brown Executive | Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer | Julia J. Brown, Ph.D., has been with OLED since 1998 and currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer since April 2021. She previously held the Senior Vice President role from June 2008 to April 2021 and has been a crucial technology leader at the company, starting as Vice President of Technology Development in June 1998. | ||
Mauro Premutico Executive | Senior Vice President, Planning, and Chief Legal Officer | Mauro Premutico has served as the Senior Vice President, Planning, and Chief Legal Officer at OLED since April 2021 and as Secretary since September 2022. Prior to these roles, he significantly contributed as the Vice President of Legal and General Manager of Patents and Licensing from April 2012 to April 2021, demonstrating extensive expertise in legal and intellectual property management. | ||
Dr. Joan Lau Board | Independent Director on the Board of Directors | CEO of Spirovant Sciences; Board Member of Brandywine Realty Trust; Board Member of Rockwell Medical, Inc.; Adjunct Professor and Trustee at the University of Pennsylvania | Dr. Joan Lau has served as an independent director on OLED's Board of Directors since March 4, 2024 and brings over 20 years of leadership experience in biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, and R&D-focused industries. She leverages her extensive expertise from other organizations, including active roles as CEO, board member, and academic leader. | |
Dr. Nigel Brown Board | Independent Director | Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Princeton Healthcare Advisory, LLC; Advisor at Rothschild & Co. and Five Arrows Managers LLP; Board member at Inotiv, Inc. | Dr. Nigel Brown, with over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and contract research industries, currently serves as an independent director on the Board of Directors at OLED since March 2024. Previously, he has held leadership roles, including founding Princeton Healthcare Advisory, LLC and advising Rothschild & Co. and Five Arrows Managers LLP. | |
Ms. April Walker Board | Board Director | Board member at Sangoma Technologies Corporation ; Advisory board member at Drexel University Solutions Institute ; Adjunct Professor at Drexel’s Executive MBA program | Ms. April Walker is a global leader in the technology industry with over 30 years of leadership experience at companies including Microsoft, MetLife, NBCUniversal, and Salesforce. She was elected to the Board of Directors at OLED, with her position effective as of January 1, 2025, further enhancing strategic digital innovation. |
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Given the deceleration in material sales growth from 14% last year to an expected 4% growth this year, can you elaborate on the factors contributing to this slowdown and your strategies to address them?
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Regarding the commercialization of phosphorescent blue, can you provide more clarity on the specific milestones that need to be achieved and any potential hurdles that could impact your timeline of "months, not years"?
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With increasing competition from local Chinese material suppliers in the OLED emitter space, what specific strategies are you implementing to maintain your market leadership and protect your margins?
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You've projected a 10-15% increase in SG&A expenses for 2025 while R&D expenses are expected to remain flat; can you explain the reasons behind this significant increase and how it aligns with your growth strategy?
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Considering that your growth rates have historically been just shy of overall industry growth due to customer efficiencies and pricing dynamics, how do you plan to capture the expected OLED capacity increase of approximately 10% over the next two years?
Competitors mentioned in the company's latest 10K filing.
| Company | Description |
|---|---|
Developed and patented the original fluorescent OLED technology in 1987. | |
Cambridge Display Technology, Ltd. | Developed and patented polymer OLED technology in 1989 and was acquired by Sumitomo Chemical Company in 2007. |
Sumitomo Chemical Company | Engaged in OLED research, development, and commercialization activities, and selling or sampling competing OLED materials. |
Selling or sampling competing OLED materials and is a supplier of fluorescent emitter materials. | |
Selling or sampling competing OLED materials and has significant resources in the host materials business. | |
Kyulux Inc. | Selling or sampling competing OLED materials. |
Summer Sprout Technology | Selling or sampling competing OLED materials. |
Selling or sampling competing OLED materials. | |
Aglaia Tech | Selling or sampling competing OLED materials. |
Jilin OLED Photoelectric Materials Co., Ltd. | Selling or sampling competing OLED materials. |
Nanjing Topto Semiconductor Materials Co., Ltd. | Selling or sampling competing OLED materials. |
Solus Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. | Supplier of fluorescent emitter materials and has significant resources in the host materials business. |
Previously known as Gracel Display, supplier of fluorescent emitter materials and has significant resources in the host materials business. | |
SFC Co. Ltd. | Supplier of fluorescent emitter materials. |
Duksan Neolux Co., Ltd. | Has significant resources in the host materials business. |
NSCC | Has significant resources in the host materials business. |
Beijing Sineva Technology Co., Ltd. | Has significant resources in the host materials business. |
China Ray | Has significant resources in the host materials business. |
Lumilan | Has significant resources in the host materials business. |
Eternal Material Technology (EMT) | Has significant resources in the host materials business. |
Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. | Has significant resources in the host materials business. |
Notable M&A activity and strategic investments in the past 3 years.
| Company | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
Merck KGaA | 2023 | Acquisition of Phosphorescent OLED Emitter IP assets: Completed on April 28, 2023, Universal Display Corporation (UDC) acquired a portfolio featuring over 550 issued and pending patents across 172 patent families for a cash payment of $66.0 million, which will be amortized over 10 years. The deal strategically expands UDC’s emitter technology leadership and includes a multi-year collaboration agreement with Merck KGaA. |
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for OLED.
- 2025 guidance was provided with revenue expected between $640 million and $700 million, with a midpoint at $670 million and approximately 3.5% growth from the previous year, amid macroeconomic uncertainties.
- The discussion highlighted strong smartphone and IT market opportunities, with OLED penetration exceeding 50% in smartphones and IT displays expected to grow from 3-4% today to potentially 20% by 2030.
- The company is advancing its phosphorescent blue emitter technology, noting a delay from 2024 with commercial specification expected to be achieved within months (starting at the beginning of 2025) and a typical 9-12 month design cycle for product introduction.
- Additionally, Universal Display emphasized strategic use of its $1 billion cash position for dividends, buybacks, and R&D investments, supporting both current operations and future growth initiatives.