Hanmi Semiconductor, a key player in the semiconductor industry, has recently found itself at the center of a significant business conflict. Since 2017, Hanmi Semiconductor has been the exclusive supplier of TC Bonder equipment to SK Hynix, a major manufacturer of high-bandwidth memory (HBM). However, this long-standing relationship has been disrupted following SK Hynix’s decision last month to sign contracts with Hanwha Semitek for the supply of around ten units of HBM TC Bonders worth 42 billion won. This move has led to escalating tensions between Hanmi Semiconductor and SK Hynix.

The situation further intensified when Hanmi Semiconductor filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Hanwha Semitek at the end of last year over the TC Bonder technology. 

In light of these developments, Hanmi Semiconductor announced on April 18 that it had canceled its investor relations (IR) meeting initially scheduled for April 22. The company stated, “We have canceled the IR meeting initially planned for today.” The postponement is attributed to ongoing conflicts with SK Hynix and anticipated questions related to these issues from securities analysts. The IR meeting was intended to discuss first-quarter results and strategic plans but has now been rescheduled to mid-next month, following the confirmed results announcement on May 15.

The decision to delay the IR meeting highlights concerns over market signals and client relations. Companies often use such meetings to maintain transparency and build investor confidence; however, postponing them can indicate underlying issues or strategic shifts within a company.

Companies like SK Hynix are diversifying their supply chains to mitigate risks associated with dependency on a single supplier—a strategy evident in their recent engagement with Hanwha Semitek.

As tensions continue between Hanmi Semiconductor and SK Hynix, industry observers are keenly watching how these developments will unfold.