26 Jan 11. Qioptiq today released a positive report about 2010 and optimism for the year ahead. The announcement confirms 2010 was a good year for Qioptiq both in terms of sales, approximately US$380m, as well as profits and cash generation, both of which increased over the prior year. The company experienced growth in both civil and defense markets.
David Marks, Chief Executive Officer of Qioptiq, noted, “Although in general terms there has been a leveling off of demand in the defense sector, our expertise in the area of infrared optical products and other areas continues to be in demand due to the desire of national governments to improve the equipment of their ground forces. In our civil business, we have seen good growth in demand in the industrial manufacturing sector. Orders from the semiconductor industry, in particular, have increased and we are starting to see growth in the area of medical and life sciences, where we have invested significantly over the past couple of years. Our business of delivering laser-produced light continues to do well.”
During 2010, the company successfully rebranded, having completed its integration of previously-acquired companies. All employees across 15 different sites are beginning to work together ever more closely, under one single name and brand. For 2011 Qioptiq expects growth in sales and profitability.
As David Marks explained, “One reason for this expectation is due to the successful integration of our acquisitions. We are now able to offer highly sophisticated optical engineering combined with lower-cost production capabilities in Asia and Eastern Europe.”
In recent years, Qioptiq has continued to invest significantly in plant and equipment and now has new or relatively new facilities in Singapore and Germany. Investments also continue to be made in human capital. The company’s optical design capabilities are among the most comprehensive in the photonics industry. In 2011, Qioptiq intends to strengthen its presence in Asia while at the same time extending its product reach and technological capabilities in the medical and life sciences sector and industrial manufacturing.
David Marks also noted: “Qioptiq continues to increase its involvement in the product development process with our major OEM customers in both civil and defense markets.”
26 Jan 11. Boeing expects earnings to fall by up to 15 per cent this year compared with 2010 as the cost of delays to its troubled 787 Dreamliner starts to become clear. The world’s second-biggest aircraft maker by sales last week revealed the seventh delay to the 787 programme – a further six-month postponement until the third quarter of this year – meaning first deliveries will be more than three years later than originally planned.Boeing said on Wednesday that the financial cost of 787 delays – such as penalties paid to airline customers for late delivery – meant that it now expected profits this year to be significantly lower this year compared to 2010. The company forecasted that its earnings per share in 2011 would be $3.80-$4.00, down from $4.45 in 2010 and below analysts’ expectations. The manufacturer said that as well as the cost of 787 delays, the disappointing outlook also reflected higher pension expenses and the squeeze on US defence budgets. Boeing issued the outlook while reporting fourth-quarter earnings in line with Wall Street forecasts. The company’s net profit was $1.16bn, or $1.56 per share, down from $1.27bn, or $1.75 per share, in the same period a year earlier. The aircraft maker said the earnings included a favourable non-cash tax settlement of 50 cents per share and a one-off charitable donation of 5 cents per share. Excluding these extraordinary items, the company made a net profit of $1.11 per share. Revenues for the quarter were $16.55bn, below analysts’ average forecasts of $16.97bn. Boeing said its $3.80-$4.00 per share earnings outlook for 2011 was based on expected revenues of $68-$71bn.