AIXTRON, the technology and global market leader for MOCVD equipment used in the manufacture of compound semiconductors, has closed the first quarter of 2001 successfully: The Aachen-based company recorded revenues of EUR 59.8 million, with 44% of this total generated in Asia, 17% in Europe and 39% in the US. Income before tax totaled EUR 15.5 million. AIXTRON recorded a return on sales after taxes of 14.5% on consolidated net income of EUR 8.7 million or 15.9% on consolidated net income of EUR 9.5 million before goodwill amortization. Earnings per share amounted to EUR 0.27 or EUR 0.29 before goodwill amortization.
The Executive Board confirms the Forecast for fiscal year 2001. Accordingly, revenues will increase by 49% on the previous year to EUR 235 million, while earnings will grow by 59% to EUR 29.5 million. Net income for the year before goodwill amortization will grow by 50% to EUR 32.4 million. The return on sales will be 12.6% (previous year: 11.7%) or 13.8% before goodwill amortization (previous year: 13.7%).
At EUR 52.3 million (+36%), orders received for MOCVD equipment from Europe, the US and Asia developed especially encouragingly. The order backlog as of March 31, 2001 totaled EUR 156.5 million - up 100% on the previous year. AIXTRON's customers are expanding their production capacity to cater for the diverse applications of compound semiconductors - future technologies which, although only in their infancy, are already ubiquitous:
Optical fibers - more and more lasers, amplifiers and detectors for increased bandwidth (DWDM): e.g. US-based JDS Uniphase, the Japanese company Mitsubishi, as well as various European companies ordered AIXTRON equipment for producing optoelectronic components. DVD - the optical data storage medium of the future: other Japanese manufacturers ordered AIXTRON equipment to produce red laser diodes. Mobile data transmission - higher performance electronics mean transfer is faster and better: orders and repeat orders were placed by Epiworks, US, among others. Using AIXTRON equipment, French firm OMMIC's production of electronic components will be even more efficient. LED - with annual demand running into billions, LEDs have taken giant steps toward the mass market: numerous Asian manufacturers are once again ordering AIXTRON equipment. Also companies from China - a huge market for electronic high-tech products - placed further orders.
Foundation of subsidiaries in Asia. With the new subsidiaries AIXTRON KK in Japan and AIXTRON cshs in South Korea the Aachen-based group further optimizes its global "Network of AIXcellence". The aim of this initiative is to further strengthen sales activities on site and to ensure that all customers are supplied with spare parts and service even more rapidly and efficiently.
Further expansion of production capacity. In February, two years earlier than originally planned, work was started on the extension of the manufacturing plant in Herzogenrath. 48 further assembly slots for MOCVD equipment will cover 2,900 square meters, raising overall capacity to 100 slots. In doing so, AIXTRON is further preparing itself for the expected increase in demand as well as improving its flexibility.
Global market leadership further expanded in 2000. Preliminary calculations show AIXTRON's global market share to have risen to approximately 56% (1999: 54%), while its main competitor's market share is approx. half of this figure.