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Letter from the Sustainable Development Committee Chairperson

As industries and lifestyles continue to evolve, we are entering a new era of business. This transformation is driven by our desire for long-term development and a heightened sense of environmental and social responsibility. Against this backdrop, Apex firmly believes that companies should not only focus on business growth and maximizing shareholder value, but also reflect on their impact on society and the environment—becoming a positive force in the societal cycle.

Sustainable development has always been one of Apex’s core values. We understand that only by achieving a balanced approach to environmental protection, social prosperity, and corporate governance can a business ensure long-term success. Therefore, we integrate sustainability goals into our daily operations and are committed to innovative growth to ensure our actions create a positive impact on society.

In terms of information transparency, Apex continues to raise disclosure standards to ensure all stakeholders have timely access to important information. In 2024, the shareholders’ meeting was once again livestreamed online, and the full video was uploaded to the company’s website so that shareholders unable to attend could stay informed. We also proactively declare financial information in advance, publish the shareholders’ meeting annual report, and ensure the Chinese financial report is released within two months after the end of the fiscal year. Since 2016, Apex has voluntarily published sustainability reports in both Chinese and English each year. Starting in 2024, we also release annual reports on climate-related financial disclosures and risk management (TCFD), further enhancing corporate transparency and ensuring investors receive critical information in real time.

In terms of environmental protection, we actively promote the use of renewable energy and wastewater recycling to reduce our carbon footprint and resource consumption. Since launching the “Green Project” in 2021, we have continued to strengthen our capabilities in renewable energy and water resource management. In 2024, our solar power system successfully reduced nearly 5,000 tons of carbon emissions, and our wastewater recycling rate reached 30%. We will continue to advance energy efficiency initiatives and seek more innovative technologies to further reduce our environmental impact.

In terms of social prosperity, Apex has always upheld its corporate social responsibility by allocating charitable funds annually to support hospitals, communities, and schools near our factories. Through charity fairs, Songkran celebrations, and employee recognition events, we strive to foster a positive workplace atmosphere and enhance employee well-being. We believe that a company’s success is measured not only by its financial performance but also by its ability to create a positive impact on society.

Robust corporate governance is a cornerstone of sustainable development. Apex has been repeatedly recognized in international assessments. In the 2024 CDP Water Security Questionnaire, we received a management-level B rating. We have also received several awards in various fields from the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA). At the 17th TCSA Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Awards in 2024, we received the Silver Award for Sustainability Reporting for the first time, demonstrating our ongoing efforts and achievements in ESG.

We consistently uphold the principles of integrity and transparency. Through the operation of functional committees, we ensure strict compliance with applicable regulations and foster a deep understanding of ethical business practices among our board members, executives, and internal staff. We will continue optimizing management systems and enhancing operational efficiency to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance.

While we have made significant progress on our path to sustainability, we recognize the many challenges ahead—including escalating climate change, resource shortages, and social inequality. We believe that only by working hand in hand with all stakeholders can we collectively drive sustainable business practices and build a brighter future.

Apex looks forward to forming stronger partnerships with all sectors and continually exploring innovative solutions to fulfill our corporate social responsibility. We sincerely invite you to join us in creating a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Framework of Sustainable Management

Apex established the "Sustainable Development Committee" under the Board of Directors in 2022 to assist the Board of Directors in promoting the sustainable development of the Company and its subsidiaries, recently reported to the Board of Directors on December 20, 2024:

  1. Formulate sustainable development policies.
  2. To guide, track and review the performance of sustainable development activities, and report to the board of directors.
  3. Other matters that the committee should be instructed to handle after the resolution of the board of directors.
  4. After the above-mentioned matters are formulated by the committee and reported to the board of directors, the derived executive plan of the relevant implementation.

Apex analyzes issues regulatory based on the international reporting preparation guidelines and concept of materiality. It has formulated strategies and established relevant measures for risks related to environmental, social, climate change and corporate governance issues related to the Company's operations. Please refer to the "Corporate Governance", "Ethics and Integrity", "Environment Protection", "Social Investment", "Happy and Safe Workplace" and other chapters of the ESG Report on our website.
At present, the corporate governance team reported annual results and summary of sustainability works to the Board meeting at the last Board meeting of the year, to communicate and exchange ideas with the Board then took it as reference of improvement and adjustment for the next year.
The Company's sustainability promotion team will integrate internal resources to plan and implement different aspects of ESG sustainability projects; internally promote the concept of corporate sustainability; collect information to provide external evaluation and sustainability report disclosure.

Corporate Governance Officer

The Company has resolved the appointment of Mr. Hsin-Wang Yang as the Corporate Governance Officer. Hsin-Wang Yang has over 15 years of management experience in financial and internal audit for public companies. Corporate Governance Officer is responsible for corporate governance matters, including producing meeting minutes of the Board, functional committees and AGM, arranging continuous development for directors, furnishing information required for business execution by directors, and providing the information regarding the latest legal developments related to organizational operations to help directors and members of functional committees achieve legal compliance. The Corporate Governance Evaluation Team, ESG Team, and Ethical Corporate Management Team will also assist with the relevant corporate governance affairs.

The following describes the 2024 performances:
  1. Responsible for handling matters related to the meetings of the Board of Directors, functional committees, and AGM in accordance with the law. Drafted and prepared the agendas for the Board and committee meetings, notified directors and members of functional committees at least 7 days in advance of the meetings. Convened the meetings and provided materials for the attendees. If any conflict of interest arose, the attendees were notified beforehand. The minutes are disseminated within 20 days after the meetings.
  2. Arranging continuous development for directors:
    The new and current directors have already finished the educational courses in compliance with the law in 2024.
  3. Furnishing information required for business execution by directors and assisting directors with legal compliance:
  4.   (1) Confirmed whether the Board of Directors and functional committees are in compliance with relevant laws and corporate governance codes.
      (2) Assisted the directors and members of functional committees in complying with laws and regulations when carrying out business or making formal decisions.
      (3) After the meeting, check the release of material information of major resolutions of the Board of directors to ensure the legality and correctness of the content of the material information.
Advanced studies status of 2024
Date Organizer Name of Course Training Hours Total Training Hours of 2023
2024/07/03 Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation 2024 CATHAY SUSTAINABLE FINANCE AND CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT 6 15
2024/09/06 Securities & Futures Institute 2024 Insider Trading Prevention Seminar 3
2024/10/25 Securities & Futures Institute 2024 Seminar of Shareholding Trading and Law Compliance for Insiders 3
2024/11/05Taiwan Corporate Governance Association Driving Business Growth through Performance Management 3