Ho Chi Minh City, on April 25, 2024, Digiworld Coporation ("DGW") held its 2024 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.
2023 proved to be a "Fire proves gold" as economic downturn persisted, tightening consumer spending more than ever. In this scenario, not only Digiworld but most businesses were affected. However, for technology-based businesses, especially those dealing in high-value specialized products, the impact was even more pronounced.
However, for Digiworld, a company following a long-established sustainable development strategy, besides the core ICT industry, it expanded into Consumer Goods in 2017, followed by the introduction of Home Appliances by 2021. When the ICT market faced difficulties, these new industries were the new drivers contributing to the company's growth. In 2023, Digiworld recorded revenue of VND 18,817 billion and VND 354 billion in profit, with the Consumer Goods showing positive growth and contributing more to the revenue structure. Specifically, Consumer Goods saw an impressive growth of 70%, alongside Home Appliances growing by 31% compared to the same period.
Following its business journey, with expectations of even more positive signals in 2024, Digiworld at the General Meeting presented to shareholders a resolution on the 2024 business plan as follows: revenue of VND 23,000 billion and profit of VND 490 billion – up 22% and 38% respectively over the same period of 2023 and double-digit growth plan in all goods categories.
At the General Meeting, Digiworld also presented and adopted other important contents. Specifically, the approved dividend distribution method is a cash dividend of 5% (equivalent to VND 500/share) and a 30% stock dividend, at a ratio of 100:30. The implementation is expected in 2024. Additionally, regarding the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Digiworld proposed the issuance of 2 million shares at a price of 10,000 VND/ share. At the same time, Digiworld presented the content of changing the address of the company's head office.
And as usual, Q1/2024 business results were also announced at the General Meeting of Shareholders. For the first quarter of this year, Digiworld achieved VND 4985 billion in revenue and VND 92 billion in profit, up 26% and 16% respectively compared to the same period in 2023. With this revenue result, Digiworld also remarkably surpassed the 8.4% expectation set at the beginning of the year. The double-digit growth over the same period and exceeding the set plan is a good sign, affirming to some extent that the market is gradually recovering well, which is the foundation for Digiworld and shareholders to have more confidence to complete the business plan in 2024.
In addition, Digiworld has also announced the decision to increase its share ownership rate from 49.1% to 100% in B2X Vietnam Holding Joint Stock Company - a world-famous customer service provider based in Munich (Germany), specializing in smartphones and internet of things (IoT), through receiving the transfer of shares from B2X Care Solutions GmbH – a joint venture company established by Digiworld and B2X since 2017. With this M&A deal with B2X, Digiworld will consolidate the capacity of after-sales service according to existing international standards (Digiworld has DCare – after-sale service center chain), because After-Sales service is 1 of 5 services in the core MES chain to improve quality, enhance customer service and increase touch points with end consumers. Digiworld's B2X and DCare service center system have provided professional warranty services to partners since 2017. These services include: technical solutions for telephone, electronic, refrigeration devices, home appliances ... including genuine installation, repair, maintenance and servicing; providing in-home service platforms for household devices. Currently, B2X operates 18 professional warranty centers nationwide with major partners such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Acer, retail chains like Dien May Xanh, FPT Shop and many other major brands.
In 2024, Digiworld has also announced its overall development orientation for both business and organization terms, termed "Level up". Level up signifies elevating and advancing. Digiworld aims to achieve new milestones in its business results by 2024, marking the next step in its journey towards becoming a billion-dollar company. Digiworld's "Level up" strategy revolves around 3 main pillars that have created development for the past years: Foundation - People - Opportunities. Specifically, Digiworld continues its efforts to upgrade its infrastructure with advanced, modern offices in Saigon - the next step after significant investments in warehouses in Hanoi - Binh Duong and offices in Hanoi. As for people, Digiworld is equally invested, evidently in the continuous training courses provided to employees since the beginning of the year, alongside activities enriching everyone's spiritual lives.
In addition to these factors, Digiworld has also undergone further system upgrades and digitization by implementing ERP S4/HANA, standardizing processes, digitizing everything, and establishing a foundation and platform ready to be applied to new brands and industries at any time. Therefore, with new brand products of 2024 such as air conditioners, refrigerators of Xiaomi brand, online meeting products of HP Polycom, consumer goods products from Mitsuei brand and Younger Farm rice cake brand..., Digiworld is willing and hopeful that the MES platform for nearly 30 years will help products and brands quickly enter the market, bring good business results to both itself and its partners. This will also fulfill commitments, bring benefits to shareholders and investors, and confidently reward deserving individuals at Digiworld who are always innovating, leveling up, and working diligently to achieve the highest efficiency.
With nearly 30 years of building a solid foundation to establish its own position and act as a "Market Builder" for brands worldwide through its comprehensive MES (Market Expansion Services) chain, in 2024 Digiworld boldly follows a billion-dollar journey. It manages finances tightly, expands, and constantly elevates itself. Digiworld is confident that with over two decades of experience and a deep understanding of the market, through meticulous market analysis, we will sell what the market needs based on long-term market development strategies. We ensure that when selecting products, they will not only successfully penetrate the market but also stand firm, bringing value to partners, customers, consumers, and the community. Digiworld strives to be deserving of its position as Vietnam's leading market builder and to have the stature of an ESG enterprise.