13 April 2018

Riber returns to annual profit

© Semiconductor Today Magazine / Juno PublishiPicture: Disco’s DAL7440 KABRA laser saw.

For full-year 2017, Riber S.A. of Bezons, France - which manufactures molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) systems as well as evaporation sources and effusion cells - has reported revenue growth of 86% from 2016’s €16.5m to €30.6m (49% from Asia, 33% from Europe and 18% from North America). Growth was driven by sales of evaporators (cells and sources) for the screen and photovoltaic industries, as well as sales of services and accessories.

Revenue for MBE systems was €7.2m, down 19% on 2016’s €8.8m due to a lower level of billings: five systems (including two production units) in 2017 versus six machines (including two production units) in 2016.

Revenues for services & accessories were €7.2m, up 56% on 2016’s €4.6m, supported by the reactivation of production capacity by industrial customers.

Revenues for evaporators (cells and sources) were €16.2m, up 435% on 2016’s €3m, driven by major contracts to supply evaporators for the photovoltaic and screen industries.

Gross margin rose from 36.4% in 2016 to 44.5% in 2017.

Net income was €4.1m, compared with a net loss of -€1.1m in 2016, benefiting from €1m of tax income linked to the capitalization of losses carried forward.

The increase in funds collected on billing and the advance payments received on orders has contributed to a stronger cash position, up by €4.9m during 2017 from €2.5m to €7.4m.

Shareholders’ equity is up by €4.3m to €19.8m. The firm says that it therefore has the financial resources needed to finance its development.

The order book has risen by 44% during 2017 from €18m to €25.8m. Systems order are up 121% from €5.5m to €12.2m, including seven MBE systems (of which five are production machines). Services & accessories orders are up 34% €3.7m to €4.9m, reflecting the robust development of production and research MBE activities. Order for evaporators (cells and sources) remains roughly unchanged at €8.7m.

In view of this order book, plus orders received since the start of 2018 (for major accessories for Asia; a research MBE system for the USA; and a production MBE system for China, all for delivery this year), Riber is targeting year-on-year revenue growth of at least 15% for 2018.

Riber’s executive board will be submitting a proposal for approval at the General Meeting on 21 June for a dividend of €0.05 per share (deducted from the share premium account), to be released for payment on 28 June.

See related items:

Riber reports full-year 2017 revenue up 86% to €30.6m, driven by evaporators

Riber’s 80% year-on-year revenue growth for first-half 2017 drives return to profitability

Riber reports first-half 2017 revenue up 80% year-on-year

Riber’s revenue booms in Q1/2017, driven by Cells & Sources for PV and screen applications

Riber more than doubles gross margin as losses slashed in full-year 2016

Tags: Riber MBE

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