Lasers Light Way For Earnings Growth

LPKF Laser & Electronics, a leading supplier of mechanical and laser-based systems for processing printed-circuit boards (PCBs), set revenue and earnings records in financial 2010. With a boost in earnings of 149 percent, shareholders can look forward to a planned year-on-year doubling of the dividend to 40 Euro cents this year. The company boosted revenue in 2010 by 60 percent to Euro 81 million, exceeding its own forecast of Euro 79 million. Incoming orders rose from Euro 56 million in 2009 to Euro 79 million. "Although laser direct structuring systems once again played a major role, almost all the other segments played a part in the enormous growth too," explains CEO Dr. Ingo Bretthauer.

Although the firm's thin-film technologies segment was weak in 2010 due to soft sales in the solar market, LPKF is expecting a significant improvement in this area in 2011. The company recently won a major order worth almost Euro 7 million for systems to produce solar panels, indicating a turnaround in that part of the business. LPKF has world headquarters in Garbsen, Germany and North American headquarters in Portland, OR.