N@N

IPG Photonics Reports 74% Year-over-Year Revenue Growth for Third Quarter 2010

^{Published on 2010-11-01 05:45:12 - Market Wire}
 

OXFORD, Mass.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--IPG Photonics Corporation (NASDAQ: IPGP) today reported financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 ended September 30, 2010.

"An 88% increase in pulsed laser sales, the best selling product in the quarter, was driven by strong demand for marking/engraving, and an 83% increase in high-power laser sales, the second-best selling product line in the quarter, benefited from the increase in the cutting OEMs and welding demand"

Comments on the Third Quarter

aIPG continued its strong growth momentum in the third quarter with record revenues,a said Dr. Valentin Gapontsev, IPG Photonicsa™ Chief Executive Officer. aFor the third quarter of 2010, IPG reported revenues which grew by 74% year-over-year and 19% sequentially. We achieved earnings per share of $0.28 compared with $0.05 in the third quarter of 2009 and $0.22 in the second quarter of 2010. We also demonstrated the strength of our business model, as gross margins increased to 50.0% compared with 36.5% in the third quarter of 2009 and 45.3% in the second quarter of 2010. Our operating results for the third quarter included a loss of $2.1 million, or approximately $0.03 per diluted share, relating to foreign exchange losses.a

aAn 88% increase in pulsed laser sales, the best selling product in the quarter, was driven by strong demand for marking/engraving, and an 83% increase in high-power laser sales, the second-best selling product line in the quarter, benefited from the increase in the cutting OEMs and welding demand,a said Gapontsev. aTelecommunication sales increased by 160% year-over-year, and 144% sequentially, due to demand in Russia and the U.S. We had a year-over-year decline for medical sales, which was primarily related to lower sales to our large U.S. medical OEM customer. Sales for advanced applications, which tend to be more uneven, were down 18% year-over-year due to strong European sales in the third quarter of 2009. Geographically, we experienced robust growth in all major regions as the general economic climate improved.a

aIPG generated $6.2 million in cash from operations and ended the quarter with $96.6 million in cash,a said Gapontsev. aCapital expenditures for the third quarter totaled $5.1 million and we continue to expect the total amount spent on capital expenditures and acquisitions to be approximately $25 million for the year.a

Partnership with RUSNANO and Sale of Minority Interest

IPG also announced today the sale of a 12.5% ownership in its Russia-based subsidiary, NTO IRE-Polus (NTO) to the Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies (RUSNANO) for $25 million. RUSNANO was established in 2007 to invest in nanotechnology development, including projects in solar energy, nanostructured materials, medicine and biotech, mechanical engineering and metal working, optoelectronics and infrastructure. Under the terms of the agreement, RUSNANO will have options to purchase up to an additional 12.5% of NTO for an additional $25 million over the next five years if certain sales targets at NTO are achieved. IPG will maintain majority ownership and control of NTO and has a call option after three years to buy back the minority stake at a predetermined value. RUSNANO has a put option after five years to sell its minority stake to IPG at a predetermined value.

aThis partnership with RUSNANO enables IPG to more strategically address a large and growing market in Russia for fiber optic telecom equipment and laser systems and to increase industrial laser sales in that territory,a said Gapontsev. aWith the proceeds from the transaction, we will be able to make strategic R&D and capital expenditure investments in NTO, and develop our sales infrastructure in the Russian market. In addition, a partnership with RUSNANO will significantly expand the number of telecommunications, industrial and other important commercial relationships we have in Russia, ultimately driving growth by increasing our portfolio of customers.a

Business Outlook and Financial Guidance

aWe anticipate that the sales momentum we have experienced during the first nine months of 2010 will continue through the end of the year,a said Gapontsev. aAs we enter the last quarter of the year, we will continue to focus on maintaining the high quality of our products while we increase the penetration of our fiber lasers in existing and new applications, expanding our OEM and customer base, and further extend our leadership position in the markets we serve. As sales of our lasers continue to increase, we expect to benefit from the leverage in our business model.a

IPG Photonics expects revenues in the range of $80 million to $86 million for the fourth quarter of 2010. The Company anticipates earnings per diluted share in the range of $0.30 to $0.35 based on 47,700,000 common shares, which includes 46,533,000 basic common shares outstanding and 1,167,000 potentially dilutive options at September 30, 2010.

As discussed in more detail below, actual results may differ from this guidance due to various factors including but not limited to product demand, competition and general economic conditions. This guidance is subject to the risks outlined in the Companya™s reports with the SEC, and assumes that exchange rates remain at present levels.

Conference Call Reminder

The Company will hold a conference call to review its financial results and business highlights today, November 1, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. ET. The conference call will be webcast live and can be accessed on the aInvestorsa section of the Companya™s website at [ www.ipgphotonics.com ]. The conference call also can be accessed by dialing (877) 709-8155 or (201) 689-8881. Interested parties that are unable to listen to the live call may access an archived version of the webcast, which will be available for one year on IPGa™s website.

About IPG Photonics Corporation

IPG Photonics Corporation is the world leader in high-power fiber lasers and amplifiers. Founded in 1990, IPG pioneered the development and commercialization of optical fiber-based lasers for use in a wide range of applications such as materials processing, advanced, telecommunications and medical. Fiber lasers have revolutionized the industry by delivering superior performance, reliability and usability at a lower total cost of ownership compared with conventional lasers, allowing end users to increase productivity and decrease operating costs. IPG has its headquarters in Oxford, Massachusetts, and has additional plants and offices throughout the world. For more information, please visit [ www.ipgphotonics.com ].

Safe Harbor Statement

Information and statements provided by the Company and its employees, including statements in this press release, that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, our expectations relating to: total spending of $25 million in 2010 for capital expenditures and acquisitions; the partnership with RUSNANO enabling IPG to more strategically address a large and growing market in Russia for fiber optic telecommunications equipment and laser systems and increasing industrial laser sales in that territory; IPG making strategic R&D and capital expenditure investments in NTO with the proceeds from the RUSNANO transaction; expanding the number of telecommunications, industrial and other important commercial relationships in Russia and driving growth by increasing our portfolio of customers; sales momentum continuing through the end of the year; continuing focus on maintaining the high quality of our products and increasing the penetration of fiber lasers in existing and new applications; expanding our OEM and customer base; further extending our leadership position in the markets we serve; continuing to increase sales and benefitting from the leverage in our business model; and revenue and earnings per share expectations for the fourth quarter of 2010. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the strength or weakness of the business conditions in industries and geographic markets that the Company serves, particularly the effect of economic downturns; reduction in customer capital expenditures; potential order cancellations and push-outs and financial and credit market issues; the Companya™s ability to penetrate new applications for fiber lasers and increase market share; the rate of acceptance and penetration of IPGa™s products; effective management of growth; level of fixed costs from its vertical integration; intellectual property infringement claims and litigation; interruption in supply of key components, including from transportation disruptions from natural and man-made events; manufacturing risks; inventory write-downs; foreign currency fluctuations; competitive factors, including declining average selling prices; building and expanding field service and support operations; uncertainties pertaining to customer orders; demand for products and services; development of markets for the Company's products and services; and other risks identified in the Company's SEC filings. Readers are encouraged to refer to the risk factors described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (filed with the SEC on March 15, 2010) and its periodic reports filed with the SEC, as applicable. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to rely on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.