Riber S.A. of Bezons, France, which manufactures molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) systems as well as evaporation sources and effusion cells, has reported revenue of €10.2m for the first nine months of 2013 (37% from Asia, 34% from Europe, 29% from North America), down 39% on €16.7m for the first nine months of 2012. This includes third-quarter revenue of €2.4m, down by two-thirds on €7.3m for Q3/2012.
Systems revenue was €6m, down 47% on €11.2m for the first nine months of 2012. However, this reflects the change in seasonal trends for the firm's production plan, which in 2013 is focused on the end of the year. During the first nine months, seven MBE machines were invoiced, compared with 10 (including two production machines) for the same period in 2012.
Services & Accessories revenue was €3.3m, down 12% on €3.8m a year ago, factoring in the contraction in demand for services among industrial customers.
Revenue for Evaporation sources & Cells has fallen 44% from €1.7m to €1m, as it is still dependent on decisions regarding investments in the production of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) flat screens or thin-film solar cells. Nevertheless, Riber is maintaining a major research drive with a view to developing new ranges of cells for these high-potential markets. The incorporation of Riber Korea during Q3/2013 is a key enabler to this plan.
During Q3/2013, boosted by a research system order for a laboratory in Japan, Riber's order backlog grew from €11.7m to €12m. Although down 33% on €18m a year ago, it does not include the order received in October for a system to be delivered in China (as announced on 21 October). Of the €12m order backlog, €9.7m is for Systems (down 39% on €15.8m a year ago), €2.1m is for Services & Accessories (up 9% on €1.9m) and €0.3m is for Evaporation sources & Cells (up 20% on €0.2m).
Riber has also unveiled a new DZ model in its best-selling Compact 21 range, with a view to harnessing future growth in the MBE market.
The firm says that, in view of industrial product planning for fourth-quarter 2013 and the short-term business outlook, Riber can confirm its target for revenue of €24-26m in full-year 2013, enabling it to record a profit over the full year.
