News

30 March 2010

 

Riber confirms return to profitability in 2009

After reporting preliminary fourth-quarter 2009 revenue on 13 January, Riber S.A. of Bezons, France, which manufactures molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) systems as well as evaporation sources and effusion cells, has reported final full-year 2009 revenue of €17.4m, down 9% on 2008’s €19.2m. Nevertheless, the lack of production systems sales to the semiconductor industry due to the economic crisis background was offset by record system sales to research centers.

Good sales resilience was compounded by the development of component and services sales and the take-off in sales of evaporation sources dedicated to new applications, such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-layer solar cells, says the firm.

Better trading conditions, increased productivity and tight cost control also led to gross margin rising from 33.6% in 2008 to 37.6%.

Riber has also confirmed its return to profitability in 2009. Compared to an operating loss of €0.9m in 2008, the firm has reported an operating income of €0.6m for 2009. Net income was €0.4m, compared to a net loss of €1m in 2008. In line with expectations, its net cash position has also grown, by 85% on a year ago to €5.6m (after deducting refundable advances).

Riber reckons that, due to its sound balance sheet and stronger cash position, it is in a position to implement its strategic expansion with confidence.

At the firm’s annual general meeting of 27 May, the executive board will propose the payment of a dividend of €0.04 per share.

It will also propose the appointment of Jacques Noels as a new member of the supervisory board. After serving in top executive positions for firms such as Thomson, Texas Instrument and Nokia, Noels founded Crocus Technology (a firm specialized in MRAM semiconductors). Bolstered by this experience, Jacques Noels will support Riber in implementing its profitable growth strategy.

Riber concludes that, due to the structure of its sales order backlog and the launch of new products, it expects a further improvement in profitability in 2010.

First-quarter 2010 sales will be reported on 15 April.

See related item:

Riber returned to profit in 2009, despite revenue drop; expects growth in 2010

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