Technical Insight
Riber announces return to profitability
MBE product developer Riber has announced its annual results for last year.
Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) systems developer Riber has announced a return to profitability in its annual results for the 12 months ended December 31st 2009.
The business reported a rise in gross profit as a proportion of sales to 37.6 per cent - up from 33.6 per cent in 2009. Overall, the company revealed a return to profitability of €400,000 (£359,676) for the year, in comparison to a net loss of €1 million in 2008.
Operating income totalled €600 million over the 12 months, compared to a loss of €900,000 in 2008, while annual sales totalled €17.4 million.
In addition, the company reported an 85 per cent increase in its cash position to €5.6 million and, as a result, has proposed a dividend to stockholders of €0.04 per share.
The firm noted that good sales resilience and the launch of a number of new products over the course of the 12-month period helped stabilise the business during 2009 - especially its sales of evaporation sources dedicated to new applications, such as organic LEDs and thin-layer solar cells.
"Due to the structure of the sales order backlog and the launch of new products in the market, Riber expects a further improvement in profitability in 2010," a company statement predicted.
Indeed, the firm announced: "Due to its sound balance sheet and stronger cash position, Riber is in a position to implement its strategic expansion with confidence."
Founded in 1964, Riber specialises in the development of MBE systems, as well as evaporation source cells for the manufacture of compound semiconductors. Its shares are presently listed on the CAC IT index of the Paris Stock Exchange and have a value of €1.45 (March 30th, 15:40 BST).
The company specialises in MBE product development and foundry services for use in the manufacture of compound semiconductors, such as gallium nitride and gallium arsenide.
