Strong Fourth Quarter Keeps Jenoptik on Track

The Jenoptik Group said it is looking forward to a jump in revenues in the new year after ending 2014 with sales and earnings down slightly.

The company’s preliminary numbers place earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) at more than €51 million (about $57.7 million), compared to €52.7 million in 2013. Group revenue was around €590 million (about $667.8 million), compared to €600.3 million in 2013.

Sales in the first three quarters of the year were hindered by “the unexpected and tangible reluctance to invest shown by customers in the machine construction, automotive and semiconductor equipment markets, and by tightened export restrictions in Germany,” the company said. Revenues rebounded in the fourth quarter, however.

Revenue in the company’s lasers and optical systems segment was around €230 million (about $260.1 million), compared to €224.7 million in 2013. There was strong demand throughout the year for laser systems for plastics processing and from successful project start-ups in the medical technology and life sciences sectors. However, demand in the semiconductor equipment market weakened in the second half of the year.

Metrology systems brought in about €185 million (about $209.3 million), compared to €187.4 million in 2013, while defense and civil systems brought in approximately €170 million (about $192.3 million), compared to €185.1 million in 2013.

The company anticipates revenues of €650 million to €690 million in 2015 (about $735.2 to $780.4 million), and aims to boost revenues to approximately €800 million (about $904.6 million) annually by 2018.

For more information, visit www.jenoptik.com.