Blaubeuren, January 27, 2011, centrotherm photovoltaics AG, the globally leading technology and equipment supplier to the photovoltaics sector, has made a confident start to 2011. This perspective particularly reflects the gratifying order trend in the fourth quarter of 2010: new orders were up significantly, by 192 percent, to EUR 342 million (prior-year period: EUR 117 million).
Primary orders from Asia, particularly from China and Taiwan, contributed to this positive trend. Production systems to manufacture crystalline solar cells were in particular demand. Many existing customers, including premium cost leaders, made repeat purchases of key equipment such as tube furnaces for phosphorus diffusion (POCl3), and batch-type systems for the anti-reflective coating of solar cells (PECVD systems). Production across the entire centrotherm Group is running at full speed: given the good order book position, around 100 systems per month are to be dispatched in the future from the production halls at the Group's Blaubeuren headquarters. This represents a further marked increase compared with 2010: last year, production capacity already underwent a major expansion to up to 60 systems per month. Manufacturing capacities have been added to consistently as a result of the further optimization of production structures and processes, such as a flexible shift operation.
"Our products' technology and quality prove persuasive. That is why we look ahead to this year with confidence. Our sales team in the Asian region has already signed initial orders from major existing customers for the second half of 2011”, comments Dr. Thomas Riegler, CFO of centrotherm photovoltaics AG. "Many of our customers would like to extend their cost-leadership, are topping up their production capacities, and are focusing on centrotherm's advanced, leading edge. This year, we will continue to benefit from this trend, which has already been underway for several months."
Source: centrotherm photovoltaics AG