(AOF) – Riber, a global player specializing in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) equipment, has published its results for the first half of 2022. The company is still in the red since its net losses, share of revenue business, amounted to 1.6 million euros, compared to 1.8 million in the first half of 2021. This figure includes a financial result of 0.6 million euros mainly linked to the change in the euro/dollar parity US. Gross margin improved (+11%) to 2.8 million euros, compared to 2.5 million in the first half of 2021.
During the first half of 2022, new order intake improved significantly. The company obtained 4 orders for production systems and 5 orders for research systems, while maintaining its growth in services and accessories.
Turnover is down slightly by 1% to 9.2 million euros, against 9.3 million euros a year ago for the same period.
This recovery has the effect of strengthening the order book, which stood at 30.6 million euros at June 30, 2022, up +76% compared to June 30, 2021. Orders for systems (23. 0 million euros; +119%) include 11 machines and orders for services and accessories (7.6 million euros) are up by +10%.
It is specified that this backlog does not include the orders announced in July and August 2022 for 2 Compact 21 research systems, 1 MBE6000 production system and 1 MBE49 production system, as well as the purchase option announced on June 8 for 4 MBE6000 production machines whose firm orders will be confirmed with the obtaining of the export license for the 2023 financial year.
In a market environment that remains dynamic with strong demand for the company’s systems, Riber should continue to take orders by the end of fiscal 2022.
Faced with constrained supply chains, the company has diversified its sourcing capacity from its supplier partners in order to reduce the shortage of electronic boxes in particular, components that are essential to the operation of the company’s MBE systems. Supply chain delays will likely result in system delivery delays into 2023.
The significant increase in energy costs will have a very limited impact on the company’s activity due to the low energy consumption in the company’s production processes.
The company will publish its revenue for the third quarter of 2022 on October 31, 2022 after trading.
AOF – LEARN MORE
Growing market and price pressures
According to the SIA, global chip sales were $151.7 billion in the first quarter of 2022, up 23% year-on-year. Sales increased in all major regional markets and for all product categories. As global uncertainties, including the war in Ukraine and the health crisis, weigh on supply chains, demand for semiconductors continues to significantly outpace supply. Manufacturers Samsung and TSMC have announced that they will raise their prices, in a context where players in the sector have good leeway and benefit from increased bargaining power. However, wage increases and component prices could weigh on future performance.