Asia sales boom revitalizes Aixtron revenue
Booming sales of MOCVD equipment in Asia have driven revenue up 35% sequentially at Aixtron.
In the quarter that ended June 30, the Aachen, Germany, company recorded €34.2 million ($41.2 million) in sales, an increase of 53% on the same period last year.
The figures translated into a €0.5 million net income, whereas this time last year Aixtron posted an €8.3 million loss.
Order intake also rose substantially, up 23% sequentially to €36.9 million - the fifth consecutive quarterly increase.
The reason for the boom is clear: demand from LED manufacturers, and in particular those based in Asia.
In the latest quarter, 82% of Aixtron s revenue was generated in Asia, with 15% coming from the US and just 3% from Europe. This balance looks set to continue, with Arima Optoelectronics, Epistar and United Epitaxy Company among the customers placing recent orders.
Aixtron CEO Paul Hyland said, "In the second quarter, we saw market optimism in the compound semiconductor manufacturing industry continue."
Hyland added that the company expects full-year revenue to be in the €130-140 million range, with a net income of €2-5 million if acquisition costs relating to the Genus merger are ignored.
In the first half of the year, Aixtron sales reached almost €60 million.
