AXT sheds US staff, Riber lowers forecast
The company says that the measure is being taken as part of its previously announced and ongoing effort to consolidate manufacturing at its production facility in China.
AXT will record a restructuring charge of approximately $1.3 million in the current quarter related to the workforce reduction and to lease costs associated with facilities that are no longer required to support production.
AXT hopes to return to profitability by reducing manufacturing costs at a faster rate than the anticipated fall in the selling prices of its wafers.
Riber sees delayed orders, but also growth opportunities
MBE equipment manufacturer Riber has revised downwards its full-year sales forecast for 2004 to around EUR 13 million ($16 million). This will result in a net loss for the year.
The change comes as a result of the postponement of MBE system orders, which will now be delivered next year.
Even so, Riber, which recently acquired Addon, is optimistic about 2005, citing a global increase in machine utilization rates, which could lead to additional capacity requirements in the wireless market; the growth in various niche optoelectronics applications; diversity in the research market; and growth in new sectors which could lead to the commercialization of development machines.
