KOTA DAMANSARA (April 27): JF Technology Bhd, which manufactures test probes and sockets for the semiconductor industry, is banking on its automotive clients to offset the impact of lower smartphone sales.

JF Technology counts iPhone manufacturer Apple Inc as one of its indirect customers.

Its chairman-cum-managing director Datuk Foong Wei Kuong said: "In our last financial year (ended June 30, 2015), our top and bottom line growth came mainly from our automotive segment."

"Operationally, we are profitable, and we are looking for a double-digit growth in sales this year," Foong told reporters during a tour of JF Technology's premises here.

Apple is in the news. Reuters reported that Apple on Tuesday posted its first-ever decline in iPhone sales and its first revenue drop in 13 years as the company credited with inventing the smartphone struggles with an increasingly saturated market.

US-listed Apple said it sold 51.2 million iPhones in its second fiscal quarter, down from 61.2 million in the same quarter a year ago but above analysts' estimates of about 50 million devices.

In Malaysia, Foong said JF Technology had test-contacting solutions for four segments. He said the company's products catered for mobile devices and Internet of Things, wearables, desktop computers and cars.

For automotive clients, he said JF Technology had two product lines, which cater for technological advancements in the industry. He said the automotive sector had introduced high-technology features like autonomous driving and self-parking solutions.

JF Technology shares have not been traded so far today. At its last closing share price of 60 sen yesterday, the company had a market capitalisation of RM75.6 million.