Aixtron reveals excellent end of year figures
Advanced electronics product developer Aixtron has announced a positive set of results for 2009, with record figures for the fiscal year.
The company reported full-year revenues of €302.9 million (£275 million) and gross profits totalling €134.7 million - an increase of ten and 19 per cent respectively.
As a result of these record figures, the company improved its gross margin by three percentage points from 41 to 44 per cent and published forecasts claiming it could achieve revenues of up to €650 million in 2010.
Furthermore, the firm has a present order backlog of €190.9 million and therefore feels it is well positioned to push on for further growth over the coming 12 months.
President and chief executive officer of Aixtron Paul Hyland commented in a conference call with investors and analysts held yesterday (March 11th) in regard to the results that he is confident 2010 will be another year of growth, especially given the strength of the LED backlighting market.
He said: "The recent increase in momentum in the marketplace and the consequent increase in LED development activities was a major factor in our decision to increase our own research and development activities and - in particular - to accelerate our own internal roadmap plans for future generational products."
Indeed, Mr Hyland stated the market for LED products is expected to grow significantly over the next three to five years and this augurs well for the company's prospects.
Furthermore, the annual report noted the company plans to shift its legal form from a German AG firm into a European SE business in the year ahead and the board will make this proposal to shareholders at a meeting on May 18th.
Aixtron's product portfolio presently includes a range of compound semiconductors, silicon and organic semiconductors and LEDs, as well as carrying out nanotechnology research.
Over the coming 12 months, it is the firm's ongoing innovation in these areas which it feels will help it to continue producing record results, as it did in 2009.
