Airmate-KY Announces Global Brand Strategy, Enters Costco and Amazon Channels

Home appliance brand Airmate-KY held its shareholder meeting on June 8, where Chairman Shih Jui-pin announced a global brand plan. Under the plan, without affecting existing OEM clients, the company will enter Costco's international channels. The first phase targets the South Korean and Canadian markets, followed by expansion into the UK, France, Spain, Sweden, and Japan.

Simultaneously, Airmate will expand its online presence on Amazon across five European countries: the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, and Italy, targeting areas where the Airmate brand has been absent. The first phase of the plan is expected to contribute approximately 10% to 15% of revenue. Shih emphasized that leveraging existing international strategic partners and channels is Airmate's greatest asset for brand internationalization.

Shih pointed out that consumer confidence in the Chinese market has not yet recovered in the first half of 2026, and the unexpected outbreak of the Middle East war caused a sharp 30% to 40% increase in plastic raw material prices. Negotiations with customers to adjust prices were not fully successful, leading to a decline in gross margin in the first quarter and failure to meet profit targets.

In the European and American markets, the company successfully secured orders from new customers in Germany and South Africa this year, achieving significant gains in international OEM business. Additionally, Airmate plans to explore new markets in Mexico and Brazil in Central and South America this year.

Airmate reported consolidated revenue of NT$1.835 billion for the first quarter of 2026, with a gross margin of 13.32%, an operating loss of NT$142 million, a net loss of NT$167 million, and a loss per share of NT$1.11. The debt-to-equity ratio stood at 69%.