GT Solar - Weltmarktführer (?) für Ingot-Öfen - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

[meinolf67]

GT Solar redet seit einem Jahr von einem bevorstehenden IPO.

Gestern kam die Meldung, daß man es jetzt ernsthaft versuchen will.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.466.810 von meinolf67 am 09.07.08 08:44:34

Tickersymbol wird SOLR sein.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.466.810 von meinolf67 am 09.07.08 08:44:34

GT Solar's Hauptprodukt sind DSS-Öfen, die zum Kristallisieren von Multi-Ingots verwendet werden.

Diese stehen bei praktisch allen chinesischen Herstellern und vielen anderen Ingotproduzenten weltweit.

Als Hauptwettbewerber würde ich die firma ALD Vacuum einstufen. Dies ist eine Tochter von AMG (auch Mehrheitseignerin von Timminco) und produziert derzeit lt. Schimmelbusch 5 Öfen pro Woche.

Allerdings gab es bisher wohl eine Exklusivvereinbarung mit REC, das alleine diese Öfen abnahm. Abor kurzem gab es eine erste Meldung, daß man jetzt auch an andere liefert (steht im AMG-Thread).

Auch PVA Tepla macht wohl solche Öfen, scheint allerdings nur eine geringe Rolle zu spielen (deren Kompetenz liegt wohl eher in Mono). In der letzten Photon (oder PI) war eine Marktübersicht über solches Equipment.

Es folgen ein paar Nachrichten.

[meinolf67]

GT Solar International IPO to total 30.3M shares
GT Solar International IPO to total 30.3 million shares, price between $15.50 and $17.50 each
July 08, 2008: 04:56 PM EST

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - GT Solar International Inc. said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it expects its pending initial public offering to total 30.3 million shares and price at $15.50 to $17.50 apiece.

Parent company GT Solar Holdings LLC is selling all of the shares in the offering and plans to distribute proceeds to its shareholders. GT Solar will not receive any of the proceeds.

Based on an offering price of $16.50, the IPO will generate about $500 million before expenses.

Following the offering, GT Solar Holdings will maintain a 78.3 percent stake in the company, or a 74.9 percent stake if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full.

The Merrimack, N.H.-based company makes solar cell manufacturing equipment. GT Solar's photovoltaic, or PV, systems are used in industrial, commercial and residential applications to convert sunlight directly into electricity.

"Higher global energy prices, increased environmental awareness and the desire for energy independence are accelerating the adoption of renewable energy sources, including solar power," the company wrote in its amended prospectus with the SEC.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, GT Solar reported income of $36.1 million, compared with a loss of $18.4 million in the prior fiscal year. Revenue increased more than four times to $244.1 million from $60.1 million in the year ended March 31, 2007.

Thomas M. Zarrella joined the company in 2004 as president and chief operating officer and has served as president and chief executive since April 2007. Previously he led Schott Solar AG's manufacturing operations in Billerica, Mass.

Credit Suisse and UBS Investment Bank are serving as lead underwriters. Banc of America Securities LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities, Piper Jaffray and Thomas Weisel Partners LLC are also underwriting the offering. The underwriters have the option to buy up to an additional 4.5 million shares to cover any overallotments.

The company has applied to list its shares on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "SOLR."

[meinolf67]

May 07, 2008
GT Solar Signs $8.8 Million Contract with Nexolon
By Anil Sharma,
TMCnet Contributing Editor
GT Solar Incorporated, a global provider of a comprehensive range of equipment, services and technology solutions to the solar power industry, has signed an $8.8 million contract with Nexolon Co., Ltd. of South Korea to supply DSS450 furnaces and accessories.

Deliveries are expected to be made during the next 5 months.

GT Solar's newest and most technically advanced furnace, the DSS450 (Directional Solidification System) model, enables solar panel producers to "grow" multi-crystalline silicon ingots, which are processed into wafers and converted into solar cells which produce electricity when exposed to sunlight. Multi-crystalline wafers are a core component used in the production of solar panels worldwide.

Moreover, DSS450 furnace allows producers to increase their silicon ingot output by approximately 30 percent over previous furnace designs. Ingots produced annually from a DSS450 furnace are capable of providing enough electricity to power up to 1,000 average U.S. homes for one year.

GT Solar began shipments of its DSS line of furnaces in 2003.

"This represents GT Solar's first DSS contract in South Korea, and we look forward to helping our new customer, Nexolon, develop its business and become a key player in the production of multi-crystalline ingots," said Tom Zarrella, GT Solar CEO and president, in a statement. "This contract is yet another example of GT Solar's key role in providing technology worldwide to meet the demand for solar energy."

GT Solar Incorporated, based in Merrimack, NH (USA), is a wholly owned subsidiary of GT Solar International, Inc., and is a global provider of ingot casting furnaces, polysilicon reactors and turnkey manufacturing solutions across the photovoltaic supply chain.

Nexolon CEO Woo-Jeong Lee, noted: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with GT Solar as we start to build our business to meet solar energy demands in South Korea. We believe GT Solar has the resources and know-how to assist us as we move forward."

Founded in 2007, Nexolon is based in Seoul, Korea and recently announced plans to become a major supplier of monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon wafers to the solar industry.

These silicon wafers are thin sheets of crystalline silicon material principally used to produce solar cells. Nexolon intends to form strategic partnerships with reputable suppliers such as GT Solar and its customers. Nexolon's headquarter facility is located in Seoul, Korea, and its manufacturing plant is currently being constructed in the Iksan Industrial Complex in Iksan City of JeonBuk Province, Korea.

[taiwandeal]

die Sache mit Nexolon kann ich bestaetigen... die haben wirklich grosse Plaene ... ich hab vor ein paar Wochen mit dem Chef geredet ... die planen schon 2009 einen output von 25000t Solarsilizium ... ich glaube zwar nicht, dass sie das schaffen, aber investieren werden sie trotzdem ...

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.467.454 von taiwandeal am 09.07.08 09:49:08

ich dachte, Nexolon macht nur Wafer...

daß Sie auch SI machen wollen, höre ich zum ersten Mal????

[lieberlong]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.467.528 von meinolf67 am 09.07.08 09:56:37

Ich auch.

Ich weiß, dass DC Nexolon mit Si beliefert. Ab nächstem Jahr bezieht auch Solarworld Wafer von Nexolon...

[lieberlong]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.467.583 von lieberlong am 09.07.08 10:02:15

Hab gerade Deinen DC-Thread entdeckt, da stehts ja auch!

[taiwandeal]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.467.528 von meinolf67 am 09.07.08 09:56:37

sorry - stimmt ... ich weiss nur, dass sie 25000t saegen wollen ... wieviel sie davon selbst machen, weiss ich allerdings nicht ...

[meinolf67]

PPP-E Denies Validity Of GT Solar Lawsuit Claims
in News Departments > New & Noteworthy
by SI Staff on Wednesday 09 July 2008
email the content item print the content item

Following a recent lawsuit filed by GT Solar against PPP Equipment Corp. (PPP-E) vice president Fabrizio Goi for improper disclosure of confidential information, PPP-E has issued a statement contending that the allegations are "false and baseless."

The lawsuit, which was filed in New Hampshire U.S. District Court on June 20, charges Goi with improper disclosure to PPP-E of proprietary and confidential information that he allegedly received from GT Solar.

Lanny J. Davis, an attorney with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, has noted that Goi visited GT Solar's office in Merrimack, N.H., about two years ago. "It is our understanding that neither during that single, one-day visit in August 2006, or on any other occasion, was proprietary or confidential proprietary information from GT Solar imparted or disclosed to others by Mr. Goi," Davis says.

Davis further warned that GT Solar may be opening itself to potential liability to PPP-E for tortious interference with PPP-E's customers and said he is confident that the case will be dismissed or fail on the merits.

SOURCE: PPP-E

[lieberlong]

IPO Analysis: GT Solar - A Unique Player in the Solar Industry

http://seekingalpha.com/article/85034-ipo-analysis-gt-solar-…

[meinolf67]

By Phil Wahba

NEW YORK (Reuters) - GT Solar International Inc's initial public offering, expected to be the largest ever by a U.S. solar company, is facing a surprisingly cloudy outlook.

Despite red-hot industry growth, as the price of competing energy sources soars, investors have not shown a sunny disposition toward solar energy stocks lately.

The stocks of industry leaders Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd (STP.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Applied Materials Inc (AMAT.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), among others, have been cooling from March rally levels since late May. Suntech is down about 18 percent from its high in spring, while Applied Materials is down about 9 percent.

Those declines could cast a pall over GT Solar, a Merrimack, New Hampshire-based maker of the manufacturing equipment used by solar energy companies, whose IPO is scheduled for next week.

"It'll hurt that solar stocks have been volatile," said Samuel Snyder, a senior research analyst with Greenwich, Connecticut-based advisory firm Renaissance Capital. "But investors will see unique aspects that make GT Solar attractive."

One of those advantages is GT Solar's position as one of only a few makers of the manufacturing equipment used by the solar companies, analysts say.

"It's a less fragmented arena," said Pavel Molchanov, an alternative energy analyst with Raymond James & Associates. "The landscape is not quite as competitive."

GT Solar's regulatory filings also reveal a compound annual growth rate of 128 percent in the past two years that should comfort investors, with revenues of $244 million for the year ended in March

That growth rate explains why GT Solar would trade at 66 times 2007 earnings if the IPO priced at the midpoint of its forecast range, a high multiple compared with those of other solar stocks, said Scott Sweet, an analyst with IPO Boutique.

GT Solar's IPO is forecast to price in a range of $15.50 to $17.50, with a midpoint of $16.50 a share.

"Their growth is astronomical and they have a backlog, so it will support a higher price earnings ratio," said Sweet. In its filing, the company said it has an order backlog of $1.3 billion.

Other solar companies have widely varying multiples based on 2007 earnings, from a price/earnings ratio of nearly 36 for Suntech and 15 for Applied Technologies. First Solar Inc (FSLR.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), one of the few solar stocks doing well lately, is trading at a multiple of nearly 200, while SunPower Corp's (SPWR.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) multiple is 60 and LDK Solar Co Ltd's (LDK.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is 26.

SKITTISH INVESTORS

Investors are skittish about cutbacks to subsidies in Spain, a major market, and the uncertainty during an election year around the renewal of a U.S. federal tax credit set to expire in December and that has spurred industry growth.

The tight market for silicon, a key component in the process of turning sunlight into power, might hurt solar energy's economics, as could a sustained fall in oil prices.

While oil doesn't have a direct correlation to demand for solar power, since most electricity in the United States is generated from coal or natural gas, higher crude oil prices generally help boost investor interest in renewable energy.

Last year saw a spate of solar IPO's in the U.S., including Chinese manufacturers LDK Solar and Yingli Green Energy Holding Co Ltd (YGE.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz). In 2008, there has been only one solar IPO so far, Real Goods Solar Inc's (RSOL.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) modest $55 million debut in May.

Should GT Solar raise $500 million as planned when it goes public, the offering will be the largest-ever U.S. solar IPO and the sixth-largest U.S. IPO of the year overall, according to data from Dealogic. The company plans to list on the Nasdaq under the ticker "SOLR" SOLR.O.

THE REAL DEAL

Even if solar subsidies were scaled back, the market has reached a maturity and viability that should reassure investors, analysts say.

"There is a disconnect between the fundamentals of the industry and how stocks are trading," said Pavel Molchanov, an alternative energy analyst with Raymond James & Associates.

"Solar adoption rates are still barely scratching the surface," he said, pointing to solar energy's 0.1 percent share of the U.S. electric power market, and the 3 percent share in Germany, by far the world's largest market.

According to data from research firm Global Markets Direct, solar energy was an $18 billion global industry in 2007, growing at a pace of about 35 percent per year in the last three years. In the United States, the $1.4 billion market is growing even more quickly, at a clip of 60 percent per year.

Ultimately, of course, how GT Solar performs at its debut may hinge on how the capricious markets are feeling that day, said Sal Morreale, who tracks IPOs for financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald.

"In an environment like this, an IPO like GT Solar is day to day," he said.

[meinolf67]

Daniel Englander
GT Solar To Build Turnkey IPO Today at 10:43 AM

There’s been a run on adult diapers as the equity analyst crowd gets ready for what may be the most anticipated solar IPO in recent memory. GT Solar, a New Hampshire-based manufacturer of production equipment for wafer and panel makers (they’re a manufacturer’s manufacturer), is set to debut on the NASDAQ sometime this week, more than a year after the company postponed its first filing. The latest go around has GT Solar anticipating a $530 million day, more than twice its original expectation a year ago. If it happens at the scale GT anticipates, this will be the largest U.S. solar IPO. But will it sell?

The rush to expand production capacity in the last two years has created a big opportunity for equipment manufacturers in both the silicon and thin film space. While Applied and Oerlikon have become household names (though in many ways, they already were), smaller companies like Spire and GT Solar have quietly trucked along, raking in the big bucks on the back of huge growth in the Chinese midstream and downstream production markets. GT Solar’s revenue quadrupled during FY 2008 to $244 million, with 97 percent of its revenue coming from China. This is likely to continue as the market converges on cost-based production centers. Oerlikon, for example, has already announced plans for significantly expanding its presence in the Asian market.

But with solar stocks still shaky (five times fast!) and policy uncertainty in Spain and the U.S., how certain can GT Solar be of a successful IPO? Morningstar analyst Rick Hanna said recently, “a hot solar market for them is like a gold rush: The miners might not know for sure whether there is gold in the hills, but it sure is good to be the company selling picks and shovels to them.” I’ll agree with Shovelman Rick on this one, though, with one caveat. How long will it be until a Chinese company gets to where GT is today and kicks them down a few notches in their primary market?

Now stay tuned for Steve Pluvia to tell us none of this matters because First Solar and Applied will rule the world!!!

[meinolf67]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - GT Solar International Inc's initial public offering priced at $16.50 per share, within its estimated range of $15.50 and $17.50 a share, UBS Securities said on Wednesday.

The New Hampshire-based company, which makes equipment used by the solar energy industry, sold 30.3 million shares owned by current stockholders and raised about $500 million.

The proceeds of the offering will go to stockholders of record June 30. The company said in a previous filing that they do not plan to pay dividends on its common stock for the foreseeable future, other than the $90 million dividend declared June 30 to be paid to existing shareholders.

The lead underwriters on the offering were Credit Suisse and UBS Securities.

[meinolf67]

24.July 2008:

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - GT Solar International awaits its highly anticipated initial public offering this week as companies from the solar-energy sector provide a flicker of life in the moribund IPO market.

With few other IPOs surfacing nowadays, investors have been receptive to deals tied to alternative energy in the wake of record oil prices and growing concern about greenhouse-gas emissions.

GT Solar a Merrimack, N.H., manufacturer of equipment used to make photovoltaic wafers, plans to go public at $15.50 to $17.50 a share.
With 30.3 million shares in the IPO, GT Solar will raise about $500 million via underwriters Credit Suisse and UBS Investment Bank.
The IPO is expected to price Wednesday night for its first day of trading Thursday under the Nasdaq symbol SOLR.
Scott Sweet of IPO Boutique said the deal appears to be drawing large interest from institutional and retail investors. "This looks to be a solid IPO," he said.
GT Solar reported net income of $36 million and revenue of $244 million for the first quarter of 2008.

[meinolf67]

Müßte SOFORT in den PPVX aufgenommen werden.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.577.737 von meinolf67 am 24.07.08 13:40:04

Dafür könnte Conergy rausfliegen.

[meinolf67]

ist ja zum Totlachen:

laut Prospekt wird

-erstens der komplette Emissionserlös an die alteigner gehen und
-zweitens ZUSÄTZLICH eine Dividende an diese ausgeschüttet, die ziemlich genau dem kompletten EK entspricht

...wenn sowas noch gekauft wird, dann ist das schon ein starkes Stück!

[lieberlong]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.578.025 von meinolf67 am 24.07.08 14:09:32

AP
Shares of GT Solar fall 11 percent in market debut

Thursday July 24, 12:57 pm ET

GT Solar shares peak at $17 in market debut but tumble 11 percent along with broader market


NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of solar equipment maker GT Solar International Inc. rose as high as $17 in their Thursday debut, but quickly tumbled along with the broader market.
Merrimack, N.J.-based GT Solar makes equipment for manufacturing solar panels. Its initial public offering of 30.3 million shares was priced at $16.50 each, the midpoint of its expected range. The $500 million offering represents the nation's largest IPO this year in the alternative energy industry.

After the market opened shares rose to $17, but by afternoon were down $1.71, or 11 percent, at $14.79 with 15 million shares changing hands. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial average lost nearly 150 points and the S&P 500 Index was down 1.2 percent, as a steeper-than-expected decline in existing home sales wiped away some of the market's optimism about upbeat earnings reports.

The IPO came a day after oil prices dropped sharply, with oil tumbling Wednesday $3.98 to settle at $124.44 a barrel, its lowest finish since June 4. Crude had settled lower in six of the previous seven sessions, and trades nearly 15 percent below its peak above $147 a barrel earlier this month.

All of the shares were sold by GT Solar Holdings LLC, which also granted underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 4.5 million common shares to cover over-allotments, if any.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and UBS Investment Bank acted as joint book-running managers for the offering, and Banc of America Securities LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities, Piper Jaffray and Thomas Weisel Partners LLC acted as co-managers.

[meinolf67]

Eben meine Guckstücke in Berlin erworben; sieht aus wie der erste Umsatz in Deutschland.

Kommt in Tier-II, weil sehr relevanter Player.

Bewertung ist aber lächerlich.

[meinolf67]

NEW YORK, July 25 (Reuters) - Shares of GT Solar International Inc SOLR.O, an equipment provider to solar energy companies that went public on Thursday, fell as much as 22 percent on Friday on news that one of its major clients had signed a contract with a Chinese competitor.

LDK Solar Co (LDK.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), which represented 62 percent of GT Solar's revenue in the fiscal year 2008, said in a statement Friday it had signed a contract with China-based JYT Corp, one of GT Solar's competitors.

That news put pressure on GT Solar's prices, said Sal Morreale, who tracks IPOs for Cantor Fitzgerald.

Since debuting on Thursday, GT Solar's stock has been falling sharply. The company's shares, which had priced at $16.50, in the middle of the estimate range, fell 11.6 percent in their first day of trading. By midday Friday they were off another 14 percent, at $12.50.

Analysts had ascribed Thursday's fall to the lower-than-expected earnings reported a day earlier by MEMC Electronic (WFR.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), a major supplier of silicon wafers to the chip and solar industry, dragging down most solar stocks.

But in Friday morning trading, as MEMC Electronic was up 5 percent, and other solar stocks generally flat, GT Solar shares continued their fall.

A larger problem might lay with the starting price, one analyst said.

"The IPO was overpriced," said Ted Sullivan, a senior analyst with Lux Research, adding that the pricing gave GT Solar a market capitalization of about $2.5 billion, much higher than that of German competitor Centrotherm Photovoltaics (CTNG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), with a market capitalization of about $1.2 billion. (Reporting by Phil Wahba; Editing by Brian Moss)

[meinolf67]

GT Solar International, Inc. Reports Fiscal Year 2009 First Quarter Results
Tuesday August 26, 4:05 pm ET
Highlights
-- Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 grew to $57.1 million, up 272% from the prior year first quarter revenue
-- Gross margin for the quarter was 42.6%
-- Net income for first quarter of fiscal year 2009 was $5.1 million, compared to a loss of $5.0 million for the prior year first quarter
-- Earnings per share for first quarter of fiscal year 2009 was $0.03, compared to a loss of $0.04 for the same quarter of fiscal year 2008
-- Company completed its initial public offering ("IPO") and listing on NASDAQ on July 24th, 2008

MERRIMACK, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR - News) (“GT Solar”) today reported results for its fiscal year 2009 first quarter ended June 28, 2008.

ADVERTISEMENT
Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 increased 272% to $57.1 million, from $15.4 million during the same quarter of fiscal year 2008. The increase resulted primarily from growth in revenue from the sale of the DSS 450, its recently introduced multi-crystalline product.

Gross profit increased to $24.3 million or 42.6% of sales, compared to $5.3 million, or 34.7% of revenue in the first quarter of 2008. GT Solar had net income of $5.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 versus a net loss of $5.0 million for the same period of fiscal year 2008. Included in the results were $1.4 million in costs related to GT Solar’s IPO. Earnings per diluted share were $0.03 in first quarter of fiscal year 2009 versus a loss of $0.04 per diluted share for the same quarter a year earlier.

President and CEO Tom Zarrella noted, “We are pleased with the results for our first quarter of fiscal 2009 for several reasons. We were able to manage dynamic growth while achieving both gross and operating margins at record high levels. Additionally we increased our investment in R&D and approached completion of our previously announced factory expansion. Our backlog remains strong and we continue to see a robust order pipeline in both of our major product areas. Our balance sheet and cash flow provide us with more than ample capital to fuel our growth objectives.”

He continued, “Because we supply the global solar power industry with its core equipment and technology, GT Solar has a unique perspective on macro trends and developments. Given that perspective, we believe that the solar power industry is continuing to make additional progress in lowering costs and bringing solar power closer to parity with more conventional energy sources. We therefore remain optimistic about GT Solar’s future and that of the industry as a whole.”

Additionally Company management provided guidance on future financial performance for the second quarter and for the full 2009 fiscal year. For the second quarter ending September 2009, management expects revenues in the range of $120-130 million, with earnings per share of between $0.12 - $0.15 fully diluted. For the current fiscal year ending March 2009, management expects revenues in the range of $600-$650 million, with earnings per share of between $0.70 -$0.75 fully diluted.

The Company will host a live conference call and web cast at 5:00 PM EDT today. Tom Zarrella, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Bob Woodbury, Chief Financial Officer, will host the call.

To listen to the conference call, callers in the United States and Canada may dial 877-419-6603. International callers may dial 719-325-4890. All callers should enter access code 1997486. A link to the live audio web cast of the Company's earnings conference call may be found on the Company's investor website under events and presentations at http://investor.gtsolar.com/.

[meinolf67]

GT Solar's First Quarter Shines
by: Zachary Scheidt posted on: August 28, 2008 | about stocks: SOLR



GT Solar International, Inc. (SOLR) reported earnings after the close Tuesday. This was the company’s first earnings announcement since becoming a public company on July 24th. The numbers looked very attractive with the company realizing revenues of $57.1 million, good for a 171% increase over the same quarter last year. Net income was $5.1 million compared to a loss of $5 million last year and this equates to earnings per share of $0.03. Gross margins were also strong coming in at 42.6% versus margins of 34.7% last year.

As is the case with most growth companies, the most important part of this release is the forward guidance given by management. CEO Tom Zarrella stated that he expects the current quarter revenue to more than double sequentially coming in at $120-130 million. Guidance for the full year (ending March 31, 2009) was also released with expected revenue of $600 to $650 million. On the earnings side, the company is expecting 12 to 15 cents for the second quarter and full year earnings of $0.70 to 0.75.

In the case of GT Solar, future revenue expectations are relatively stable due to the company’s backlog of orders. In fact, many equipment installations have already taken place and the company is waiting on a few ancillary items to be completed before actually recognizing the revenue for that particular contract. So the revenue expectations for the next few quarters should remain relatively stable and investors should instead look to backlog information for a better view of the long-term growth of the company.

The order backlog appears to be in great shape with roughly $1.5 billion in pending orders. Apparently the ink was still dry on some of the contracts as management stated that it has received $70 million of new orders since the end of the first quarter. Of particular note, more than half of these new orders were from new customers, which should help to assuage fears that the company has a customer base that is too concentrated. Management made a note of pointing out customer loyalty as well, with a specific mention of a $177 million order from DC Chemical, which represents the customer’s third order.

Management had some interesting commentary on the industry as a whole. As Zachstocks mentioned prior to the offering, GT Solar is essentially a supplier to many of the large players in the solar energy market. This position gives it the vantage point of seeing many industry trends before they become fully disseminated to the broader market. Zarrella noted that cost pressures are beginning to decline, which allows solar energy to come closer to competing with traditional energy head to head. This should spark even more investment in solar manufacturing capacity, which would in turn benefit GT Solar’s growing backlog of orders.

The company is nearing completion on its facility expansion which should allow for significant increases in production capabilities. This will allow the company to work through its backlog more quickly, thus increasing the revenue trends. Gross margin may be somewhat pressured as the product mix can cause swings, but the operating margin should see improvement as expanding top-line revenue is paired off against the company’s fixed costs. In short, the growth prospects for GT Solar look very attractive.

The stock is off a bit immediately following the report as many IPO buyers were likely waiting for this first report for a chance to sell. While the IPO was definitely a disappointment due to CSFB’s mis-handling of the syndicate pool, the fundamentals should drive the stock price higher over the coming months.

[meinolf67]

September 2, 2008, 12:03 pm
GT Solar’s Mixed Reviews: BofA, Credit Suisse Launch At “Neutral”; UBS Says “Buy”, Weisel “Overweight”
Posted by Eric Savitz

The underwriters for GT Solar’s (SOLR) IPO cleared the post offering quiet period this morning, freeing their analysts to launch research coverage. And the provider of solar cell manufacturing equipment is getting only mixed reviews, putting more pressure on an already struggling stock.

* Satya Kumar, Credit Suisse: Launched with Neutral rating and $14.50 target.” The rating is “primarily a reflection of valuation,” he writes, “but it also balances the upside volume potential for solar equipment capex as solar approaches grid parity and the downside potential from Asian competition.” He foresees EPS for the March 2009 fiscal year of 74 cents; for FY 2010, he’s at $1.12.
* Krish Sankar, Bank of America: Launched with Neutral rating and $16 target. “We are optimistic on the overall potential of the company; but with no significant new polysilicon opportunity we don’t see meaningful upside from current levels,” he writes. Sankar sees profits of 76 cents this year, $1.23 next year.
* Stephen Chin, UBS: Launches with Buy rating and $19 target. “We believe GY Solar will emerge as the solar industry’s leading equipment supplier of furnaces and polysilicon reactors,” he writes. “We estimate this will represent 70% of capex by crystalline-based solar customers.” Chin says the company is nearing customer wins from Q-cells, Reliance Industries and Samsung Petrochemical that could add $500 million to backlog. He sees EPS of 75 cents this year, $1.25 next year.
* Jeff Osborne, Thomas Weisel Partners: Launches with Overweight rating, $18 target. He says the stock deserves to trade at 18x-20x EPS, given the 47% growth expected in EPS in calendar 2009. His estimates: 72 cents this year, $1.14 next year.

GT Solar, which went public in late July at $16.50 a share, today is down 64 cents, or 5.1%, to $11.96.

[meinolf67]

"...the company is nearing customer wins from Q-cells, Reliance Industries and Samsung Petrochemical that could add $500 million to backlog"

[lieberlong]

02.09.2008 19:06
GT Solar Signs $173 Million Contract With DC Chemical

GT Solar Incorporated, a global provider of specialized equipment and technology for the solar power industry, announced that on July 11, 2008, it signed a $173 million contract with DC Chemical Co., Ltd., a leading Korean chemical company. The signing of the contract has previously been disclosed.

Under the terms of the agreement, GT Solar will provide DC Chemical with state-of-the-art polysilicon CVD reactors, which are used to manufacture polysilicon, a key raw material utilized to produce solar cells. This latest agreement marks the third contract between the two companies since GT Solar began offering CVD reactors and related equipment in 2006.

”Higher global energy prices, increased environmental awareness and the desire for energy security are accelerating the adoption of solar power. In addition, governments around the world have implemented various tariffs, tax credits and other incentives designed to encourage the use of solar power,“ said Tom Zarrella, president and chief executive officer for GT Solar International. ”DC Chemical has constructed its first polysilicon plant, has begun manufacturing polysilicon, and recently announced a large-scale expansion. We are proud to be working with this forward-thinking company and pleased to support their expanding operations.“

”GT Solar has been a trusted provider of equipment and expertise to DC Chemical since we entered the high-value, high-growth polysilicon business more than two years ago,“ said Mr. Shin, DC Chemical's vice chairman. ”We look forward to utilizing our new reactors to increase our polysilicon production capabilities at our existing facility in Gunsan, South Korea, and to strengthening our relationship with GT Solar.“

Polysilicon is a highly purified form of silicon that is used to make both semiconductor wafers for microelectronics applications and solar wafers. The chemical vapor deposition process involved in the production of polysilicon takes place in a specialized CVD reactor using a variety of complex chemical processes.

Details of this contract were publicly disclosed on July 11, 2008, in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The agreement contemplates that GT Solar would begin to deliver reactors to DC Chemical in April 2009.

About GT Solar Incorporated

GT Solar Incorporated, based in Merrimack, NH (USA), is a wholly owned subsidiary of GT Solar International, Inc. (News) (NASDAQ: SOLR), a global provider of specialized manufacturing equipment and services essential for the production of photovoltaic wafers, cells and modules and polysilicon. GT Solar's principal products are directional solidification systems and chemical vapor deposition reactors and related equipment. For additional information about GT Solar, please visit www.gtsolar.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Some of the statements that we make in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs. These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. These factors may include our inability to manage our expansion effectively, our dependence on a small number of customers and suppliers, our limited number of products, the possibility of product liability claims, our inability to protect our intellectual property rights, increased competition from other manufacturers of equipment for PV products, risks associated with doing business in foreign countries and various other risks as outlined in GT Solar International, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. GT Solar International, Inc. is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

[meinolf67]

GT Solar enters Taiwan market in $46.8 million contract with Top Green Energy Technologies
17 October 2008 | By Síle Mc Mahon | News > Cell Processing


GT Solar International, Inc. has secured its first contract with a Taiwanese company in its recent announcement of a $46.8 million contract with Top Green Energy Technologies, Inc. a Taiwan-based solar cell producer. The agreement will see GT Solar supply the company with CVD reactors, STC converters, and an integrated support module, as well as instrumentation, piping and controls for all gases and water entering and exiting the reactors.

“We are pleased to announce this contract and new relationship with Top Green Energy Technologies,” said Dave Keck, GT Solar’s Vice President of polysilicon. “By expanding our products and services offerings to include this essential support module, we are now able to deliver a comprehensive, fully-integrated suite of solutions that provides nearly everything our customers need to quickly and cost-effectively set up their facilities and begin manufacturing high-quality silicon.”

[kaktus7]

Aus Ecoreporter vom 26.11.2008

Solaraktien zeigen sich in den letzten Wochen besonders schwankungsanfällig. Kurseinbrüche oder –anstieg um zweistellige Prozentraten sind derzeit keine Seltenheit. Umso wichtiger ist es, die langfristigen Aussichten von Solarwerten einschätzen zu können. Der US-Analyst Pavel Molchanov von Raymond James betrachtet vor allem das kalifornische Solarunternehmen SunPower Corp. als viel versprechendes Investment. Sie habe einige der weltweit größten Solarprojekte gestemmt und verfüge damit über hervorragende Referenzen, um von einem Aufleben des US-amerikanischen Solarmarktes zu profitieren, so der Analyst.

Dies gelte insbesondere für Aufträge von Energieversorgern der USA, die ab kommendem Jahr erstmals Steuererleichterungen für Grünstromprojekte geltend machen können, meint er. Viele Experten gehen davon aus, dass diese Unternehmen nun verstärkt in Erneuerbare Energien Projekte investieren werden. Zumal etliche Bundesstaaten den Anteil alternativer Energien am Energiemix hochschrauben wollen. Vor allem in den sonnenreichen Bundesstaaten bieten sich da Investments in Photovoltaik an. Molchanov stuft die Aktie von SunPower als „Strong buy“ ein. In Frankfurt verteuerte sie sich heute bis zum Mittag um über zehn Prozent auf 23,73 Euro. Damit hat sie sich aber auf Jahressicht immer noch um knapp 70 Prozent verbilligt.


Auch andere in den USA börsennotierte Solarunternehmen bescheinigt Molchanov langfristig gute Wachstumsperspektiven. Dies gelte insbesondere für den Solarausrüster GT Solar International. Er hatte vor wenigen Wochen mit starken Quartalszahlen überrascht (wir berichteten). Auch dessen Aktie erscheint derzeit als Schnäppchen. Seit der Erstnotiz ist der Kurs in Frankfurt von rund 15 Euro auf 2,09 Euro abgestürzt. Molchanov stuft den Anteilsschein ebenfalls als „Strong buy“ ein. Immerhin noch als „Outperform“ bewertet der Analyst die Aktie der First Solar aus Tempe im US-Bundesstaat Arizona. Der weltweit führende Hersteller von Dünnschicht-Solarmodulen haben gegenüber vielen Konkurrenten einen Preisvorteil. Dessen Aktie notiert in Frankfurt derzeit mit 85,97 Euro knapp 39 Prozent unter dem Vorjahreskurs.


07.11.2008 Nachhaltige Aktien: News
Solarzulieferer überrascht mit starken Quartalszahlen
Seit ihrem Börsendebüt im Juli ging es für die Aktie des US-amerikanischen Solarzulieferers GT Solar International fast nur noch abwärts. Seither hat sie sich in Frankfurt von rund 15 Euro bei der Erstnotiz auf 3,53 Euro verbilligt. Jetzt hat sie mit überraschend guten Quartalszahlen überrascht. Wie das Unternehmen aus Merrimack im Bundesstaat New Hampshire mitteilte, kletterte der Umsatz im Vergleich zum Vorjahreszeitraum im 2. Quartal um 71 Prozent auf 140.2 Millionen Dollar. Der Auftragsbestand wuchs auf 1,4 Milliarden Euro. Der Nettogewinn wurde von 17,1 Millionen Dollar oder 12 Cents je Aktie auf 27.9 Millionen Dollar oder 19 Cents je Aktie verbessert.

Der Solarzulieferer kündigte an, aufgrund von Kostensenkungen die Gewinnmarge zu verbessern. Daher werde er im Gesamtjahr trotz des schwierigen wirtschaftlichen Umfeldes das Gewinnziel von 70 bis 75 Cents voraussichtlich erreichen. Die Umsatzprognose reduzierte er dagegen von 600 Millionen bis 650 Millionen Dollar auf 575 Millionen bis 650 Millionen Dollar.

GT Solar International bietet unter anderem Ausrüstung zur Herstellung multikristalliner Solarwafer, -zellen, und -module an. Außerdem produziert die GT Solar Tochter Reaktoren, mit denen ihre Kunden Polysilizium für die Produktion von Solarwafern herstellen können. Bei ihrem Börsengang ende Juli handelt es sich um das bislang größte IPO (Initial Public Offering) eines Solarunternehmens in den USA.

[kaktus7]

Immer noch günstig.
Die werden wieder die alten Höchstände sehen. Und das innerhalb von weniger als 7 Monaten.

Read my lips

[kaktus7]

MK von nur 457 Mio Dollar
Jetzt die Ergebnisse vom letzten Quartal
Man beachte auch den Auftragsbestand und den Ausblick.

Jetzt kann man mal den KGV und den KUV ausrechnen, ausgehend vom letzten Quartal.

deren Website:
http://www.gtsolar.com.

http://www.gtsolar.com/news/shownews.php?id=222
GT Solar International, Inc. Reports Results for Fiscal Year 2009 Second Quarter
Merrimack, N.H. — November 6, 2008 — November 6, 2008
Highlights:

Revenue of $140 million, up 71% year-over-year
Backlog grows to $1.4 billion with new customer and installed base expansion
Gross margin of 43.8%; operating margin at 31%
Net income $27.9 million or EPS of $0.19

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR) ("GT Solar"), a global provider of specialized equipment and technology for the solar power industry, today reported results for its fiscal year 2009 second quarter, which ended September 27, 2008.

Revenues for the quarter increased 71 percent to $140.2 million, up from $81.8 million during the same quarter of fiscal year 2008. All revenues for the quarter related to the photovoltaic (“PV”) segment of the business, which consists of DSS (directional solidification system) furnaces and related products.

Gross profit increased to $61.4 million, or 43.8 percent of revenues, compared to $29.6 million, or 36.2 percent of revenues in the second quarter of fiscal year 2008. Operating margin was 31 percent, compared to 23 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. GT Solar had net income of $27.9 million in the second quarter versus $17.1 million for the same quarter of fiscal 2008. Earnings per share on a fully diluted basis were $0.19 versus $0.12 for the same quarter last year.

The company increased its backlog in the second quarter, with bookings of $292 million. At quarter’s end, backlog exceeded $1.4 billion, up from $1.26 billion at the end of the first quarter.

“Our second quarter results represented strong revenue performance, excellent operating and gross margins, and solid profitability” said Tom Zarrella, president and chief executive officer . “Our significant and healthy backlog — much of which is supported by cash deposits and letters of credit — is evidence of the solid demand for GT Solar DSS furnaces and polysilicon reactors. Our operating cash flow, balance sheet and cash position are all strong, providing us with ample sources to fund our operations and growth initiatives.

“We remain confident in our future as a leading equipment and technology supplier for the global solar power industry. We continue to believe that the photovoltaic industry is making progress in bringing solar power closer to parity with conventional energy sources and GT Solar is playing a critical role in that effort through our technology innovation and field-performance excellence.”

Zarrella also noted several second quarter highlights that reflect the company’s solid execution:

GT Solar completed the 50,000 square foot expansion of its Merrimack, New Hampshire, DSS furnace manufacturing facility thus increasing production capacity by 40 percent. This capacity expansion meets the company’s DSS furnace manufacturing requirements for the foreseeable future.


In its PV segment, GT Solar shipped more than 200 DSS furnaces, including many that were delivered in advance of original schedule to meet customer requests. The company also indicated it is beginning to assemble its next-generation DSS furnace prototypes.
In its polysilicon segment, the company announced it has begun development of its next generation, 400 metric ton reactor, which is expected to allow GT Solar customers to produce silicon faster and at a dramatically reduced cost, including up to a 30 percent reduction in energy usage.


GT Solar also announced that since the end of the quarter it has booked additional orders in both segments of the business including its sixth agreement for DSS furnaces with Sino American Silicon (SAS), a Taiwan-based wafer supplier to the solar industry, a polysilicon agreement with China-based KMYY, and a previously announced $46.8 million polysilicon agreement with Top Green Energy Technologies.

Business Outlook
The company provided guidance on financial performance for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 ending December 27, 2008, for revenues in the range of $190 – $200 million, with earnings per share of between $0.23 and $0.25 fully diluted. The company also updated its annual revenue guidance for the fiscal year ending March 28, 2009 to a range of $575 million to $650 million, while maintaining its previous EPS guidance of $0.70 to $0.75. Previously, the company had guided to revenue of $600 million to $650 million for the fiscal year and is changing the low end of its revenue guidance range in light of macro-economic uncertainty. The company now expects operating margins for the fiscal year of between 27 percent and 30 percent versus previous guidance of 25 percent to 28 percent, due to stronger gross and operating margins and controls on spending.

.

About GT Solar International, Inc.
GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR) is a leading global provider of specialized manufacturing equipment and services essential for the production of photovoltaic wafers, cells and modules and polysilicon utilized in the solar power industry. The company's principal products are directional solidification systems and chemical vapor deposition reactors and related equipment.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.136.901 von kaktus7 am 03.12.08 11:01:10

Update: GT Solar, Emcore, Advanced Energy announce layoffs; Emcore posts annual results
11 December 2008 | By Tom Cheyney | News > Market Watch


PV manufacturers/tool suppliers GT Solar, Emcore, and Advanced Energy said today they have laid off or plan to lay off employees. Emcore also announced its annual financial results, revealing a soft fourth quarter for its solar business unit.

A report in the Nashua Telegraph quotes a GT spokeswoman as saying the company let 25 people go, or about 10% of its workforce. Those laid off all held manufacturing positions at the Merrimack, NH-based firm. The company also said that it is still hiring in areas other than manufacturing.

GT recently completed a 50,000 square-foot expansion of its DSS furnace manufacturing facility, increasing production capacity by 40%.

In its annual financial results released today, Emcore said it will cut its own employee and contractor headcount by 100 as well as reducing bonuses, eliminating fiscal 2009 merit increases, and decreasing its capital expenditures.

(Update: After the initial story posted, an Emcore company spokesman told PV-Tech that the company performed "our layoffs in early November and we are not expecting any in the near future.")

Emcore saw its annual and quarterly revenues increase overall, but although the solar PV segment of the company grew 15% for the year, it experienced an 8% dip in the fourth quarter and represented about 24% of Emcore's overall sales. It also said there is about $35.2 million in solar-related backlog.

Negotiations to sell a minority equity position in the photovoltaics segment continue, according to Emcore, as part of moves to a potential spinoff of that unit.

The company forecasts a flat December quarter (its 1QFY09) and 10% higher revenues in the new fiscal compared to FY08.

In an additional update to the original story, Advanced Energy, which manufactures solar inverters and offers power and control solutions for solar-cell manufacturers and other industries, said in a guidance statement that it "will reduce its global workforce by approximately 114 people, or 7% of its total workforce. This reduction will be across all functional areas and geographies."

[Clouse]

There were plenty of smelly market debutantes last year. Just five of the 43 stateside IPOs closed out 2008 higher than their offer price, and I tipped my hat in their direction yesterday.

Let's take a look at the losers today.

Given the bearish market that hammered equities through most of 2008, it's easy to understand why investors were hesitant to snap up freshly minted stocks. Lousy timing can whack even quality offerings, just as rotten stocks can take off when the bulls are running.

That is why sifting through the losers may be a lucrative practice. Since drumming up enough interest to pull off an IPO was extremely challenging in itself last year, one can argue that some of the best investing ideas for 2009 may come from the ranks of 2008's busted debutantes.

The weaker they are, the harder they fall
The biggest loser among last year's IPOs was Britannia Bulk Holdings. But don't get excited. The dry bulk shipping company is essentially worthless since it ceased trading in October, with class action lawsuits piling up.

If there are any opportunities to be had among the ruins, they will have to come from the tripped-up IPOs that continue to feasibly exchange hands on the open market.

Company IPO Price
2008 Loss


GT Solar (Nasdaq: SOLR)
$16.50
(82.5%)


Real Goods Solar (Nasdaq: RSOL)
$10.00
(63.5%)



GT Solar and Real Goods Solar are sun-power plays, but they approach it from entirely different angles. GT provides equipment for photovoltaic manufacturers. Real Goods is a residential installer of solar panels on the West Coast.

GT and Real Goods have the misfortune of RSVP-ing late to the solar energy party.

However, all of these 2008 losers have a fair shot at redemption.

So, can the worst IPOs of 2008 grow up to be some of the best stocks in 2009? I think so. Hot IPOs aren't always born overnight. As long as the market gives the companies a little room to strut their stuff, most of them offer attractive entry points into companies that investors were willing to pay a lot more for less than a year ago.

So what are you waiting for? Get your hands dirty and start sifting.

[kaktus7]

Volumen und Preis erheblich gestiegen.

GT Solar wird zu den großen Gewinnern der New-Energy-Deals von Obama gehören.

[kaktus7]

Merrimack, N.H. — November 6, 2008 — November 6, 2008
Highlights:

Revenue of $140 million, up 71% year-over-year
Backlog grows to $1.4 billion with new customer and installed base expansion
Gross margin of 43.8%; operating margin at 31%
Net income $27.9 million or EPS of $0.19

[kaktus7]

uuuuuund weiter geht's

Hach, tut das gut in diesen schlimmen Zeiten. Und noch 2008 gekauft!

[Clouse]

homepage gt solar

Highlights:


Revenue of $205.2 million
Backlog at $1.3 billion with new customer and installed base expansion
Gross margin of 43.6%; operating margin at 34.6%
Net income of $43.1 million or EPS of $0.30

GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR - News) ("GT Solar"), a global provider of specialized equipment and technology for the solar power industry, today reported results for its fiscal year 2009 third quarter, which ended December 27, 2008.

Revenues for the third fiscal quarter totaled $205.2 million, up 46 percent from $140.2 million in the second fiscal quarter and compared with $14.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. Revenues for the third fiscal quarter included $109.4 million in the photovoltaic (“PV”) segment of the business, which consists of Directional Solidification System (DSS) furnaces and related products, and $95.8 million in the polysilicon segment of the business, which consists of Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) reactors and related products. As anticipated, the third quarter revenues for the polysilicon segment included $91.5 million of revenue recognized from the first contract with DC Chemical.

Gross profit increased to $89.5 million, or 43.6 percent of revenues, compared to $1.7 million, or 11.8 percent of revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. Operating margin was 34.6 percent, compared to negative 60.4 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The company had net income of $43.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus a loss of $4.5 million for the same quarter of fiscal 2008. Earnings per share on a fully diluted basis were $0.30 versus a $0.03 loss for the same quarter last year.

At quarter’s end, the company’s backlog exceeded $1.3 billion with $493 million in the PV business and $837 million in the polysilicon business. Bookings for the quarter were $120.8 million. This included $63.0 million of bookings in the PV segment and $57.8 million in the polysilicon segment.

“Our third quarter results reflect the resilience of our business model with strong revenue performance, excellent operating and gross margins, and solid profitability” said Tom Zarrella, GT Solar’s president and chief executive officer. “While we have seen an impact on some of our customers, whose ability to grow in the near term has been affected by the economic downturn, we continue to experience growth with a number of customers in both segments of our business. We are also encouraged by recent new customer additions, particularly by the interest we are seeing from new well-capitalized entrants in the solar industry.

“With our strong financial performance, healthy balance sheet and no debt, we believe that GT Solar is well-positioned to maintain its leadership position in the solar industry. Our industry is making progress in bringing solar power closer to parity with conventional energy sources and we continue to be a major force in that effort through our technology innovation, cost effectiveness and execution.”

Business Outlook

The company provided guidance on financial performance for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 ending March 28, 2009, for revenues in the range of $140 million – $170 million, with earnings per share of between $0.16 and $0.22 fully diluted. The company also updated its annual revenue guidance for the fiscal year ending March 28, 2009 to a range of $540 million to $570 million and its EPS guidance for the year to a range of $0.68 to $0.74.

ich denke doch, beste voraussetzungen für upgrades

[kaktus7]

aus Ecoreporter

04.02.2009 Nachhaltige Aktien: News
Kursspung für Aktie von US-Solarzulieferer - starke Quartalszahlen vorgelegt
Einen spektakulären Kurssprung um über 20 Prozent hat heute Morgen in Frankfurt die Aktie des US-amerikanischen Solarzulieferers GT Solar International hingelegt. Sie verteuerte sich auf 3,05 Euro. Damit regierten die Börsianer auf die starken Geschäftszahlen, die das Unternehmen aus Merrimack im Bundesstaat New Hampshire für das 3. Quartal vorgelegt hat.


Demnach konnte GT Solar International den Quartalsumsatz von 14,7 Millionen Dollar auf 205,2 Millionen Dollar steigern. Der Nettogewinn kletterte auf 43,1 Millionen Dollar oder 30 Dollarcents je Aktie. Im Vorjahreszeitraum hatte der Solarausrüster noch ein Minus von 4,5 Millionen Dollar oder 3 Dollarcents je Aktie hinnehmen müssen.


Firmenchef Tom Zarella verwies bei der Präsentation der Quartalszahlen auf die starken Margen von GT Solar International. Die Gewinnspanne habe im 3. Quartal bei 43,6 Prozent gelegen, die Umsatzrendite bezifferte er mit 34,6 Prozent. Weiter führte er aus, dass sich der Auftragsbestand auf 1,3 Milliarden Dollar belaufe.


Laut Zarella wirkt sich zwar die weltweite Finanzkrise auch auf Kunden seines Unternehmen aus. Er rechne aber mit weiterem Wachstum. GT Solar International habe erst vor kurzem neue Kunden gewinnen können, zudem würden neue Akteure mit guter Kapitalausstattung den Solarmarkt betreten.


Für das 4. Quartal stellte der Solarzulieferer einen Umsatz von 140 bis 170 Millionen Dollar und einen Gewinn je Aktie von 16 bis 22 Dollarcents in Aussicht. Die Prognose für das Gesamtjahr reduzierte das Unternehmen auf 540 Millionen Dollar bis 570 Millionen Dollar Umsatz und einen Gewinn je Aktie von 68 bis 74 Dollarcents. Im November hatte die Gesellschaft ein Gewinnziel von 70 bis 75 Cents genannt und eine Umsatzprognose von 575 Millionen bis 650 Millionen Dollar.

[kaktus7]

Aus motley fool

Still Some Spring in This Solar Shop's Step
By Toby Shute
February 4, 2009 | Comments (0)

Recs

3
GT Solar (Nasdaq: SOLR) hasn't fired the imaginations of too many investors, judging by the equipment provider's share price relative to its 2008 IPO. In fact, fellow Fool Rick Munarriz calculated it to be the second-worst surviving IPO of the year, after Verso Paper (NYSE: VRS). Late-year layoffs in the firm's photovoltaic business were a fitting coda to a crummy year.

On second thought, maybe it wasn't so crummy after all. GT Solar's fourth-quarter numbers are out, and they're shockingly strong.

Revenue ratcheted up 46% sequentially, to $205 million, while per-share earnings climbed 58%. Gross margins held steady while operating margins ticked up a bit.

Upon closer inspection, GT Solar's business is incredibly lumpy. Last quarter, the firm recognized zero revenue in its polysilicon segment, which primarily provides chemical vapor deposition reactors. This quarter, GT reported $95.8 million of sales on the poly side, and more than 95% of that came from a single order with DC Chemical!

I now understand why people totally freaked when LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK) signed a deal with one of GT's competitors last July. These are high-stakes sales when you're talking about such serious customer concentration.

A corollary to my customer concentration concerns is the fact the in-house equipment supply enjoyed by all the incumbents in the upstream solar biz, from Hemlock to REC Group to MEMC Electronic Materials (NYSE: WFR). That leaves GT Solar reliant on new entrants, of which LDK and DC Chemical are two of the more established. So throw customer mix into the mix as well.

The most redeeming quality here has to be the balance sheet. While Suntech Power (NYSE: STP), Solarfun Power (Nasdaq: SOLF), and ReneSola (NYSE: SOL) have all run up significant debt loads, GT Solar's balance sheet is clean as a whistle. That should help the firm tough out difficult quarters -- including as the current one, in which revenue is projected to fall to the $140 to $170 million range.

[Clouse]

zwei tage in folge aufwärts (31% u. 13%); es geht doch. die zahlen waren doch wirklich gut und die auftragsbücher sind auch voll; können diese verwirklicht werden ergibt sich eine umsatzverdoppelung und demnach auch ein fast ebensohohes netincome. bei einem markt, welcher zuletzt arg gebeutelt wurde, sind das doch prima aussichten.
bin mir aber im klaren, dass es bei entsprechender gesamtmarktlage auch hier wieder deutlich zurückgehen kann. wohl dem, der jetzt ein polster hat.
we will se
clouse

[kaktus7]

Die massive Förderung von u.a. Solar in den USA WIRD kommen.
Man sollte aufpassen, daß aus "we will see" nicht "we have seen" wird.
Und zwar wie der Kurs abgegangen ist, ohne daß man dabei war.

[Clouse]

seit nov/dez 08
angenehme performance
super aussichten
firma mit geld

was willst du mehr

[Clouse]

solr will auch beachtet werden
ein beitrag muss einfach mal wieder sein

[Clouse]

fool.com
By Chris Jones
April 28, 2009

As a supplier to the solar industry, GT Solar (Nasdaq: SOLR) has healthy financials and could produce 50% growth over the next five years.

[R-BgO]

GT Solar International, Inc. Reports Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2009

Record revenue of $541 million for year, net income of $88 million and EPS of $.61; Q4 revenue of $138.5 million, net income of $12 million and EPS of $.08; both periods included the effect of a $.05 per share charge

* On Tuesday May 12, 2009, 4:15 pm EDT

*
Buzz up!
* Print

Related:

* GT Solar International, Inc.

MERRIMACK, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR - News) ("GT Solar"), a global provider of specialized equipment and technology for the solar power industry, today reported results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2009, which ended March 28, 2009.
Related Quotes
Symbol Price Change
SOLR 5.59 -1.63
Chart for GT Solar International, Inc.
{"s" : "solr","k" : "c10,l10,p20,t10","o" : "","j" : ""}

Revenue for the year totaled $541.0 million, up 122 percent over fiscal year 2008 revenue of $244.1 million, including $443.9 million in the photovoltaic (“PV”) segment (directional solidification system furnaces, spare parts, related products and turnkey solutions) and $97.1 million in the polysilicon segment (chemical vapor deposition reactors and related products). Bookings for the year came in at $411.0 million and included $137.0 million in the PV segment and $274.0 million in the polysilicon segment.

Gross profit for the year increased to $214.7 million, or 40 percent of revenue, compared to $92.3 million, or 38 percent of revenue for fiscal year 2008. Operating margin was $143.5 million or 27 percent of revenue, up 206 percent from $46.9 million, or 19 percent of revenue for fiscal year 2008. The company had net income of $88.0 million for fiscal 2009, versus $36.1 million for the last fiscal year. Earnings per share for the fiscal year on a fully diluted basis were $0.61, up 144 percent from $0.25 last fiscal year.

Revenue for the fourth fiscal quarter totaled $138.5 million, compared with $132.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008. Revenue for the fourth fiscal quarter included $137.3 million in the PV segment and $1.2 million in the polysilicon segment.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter totaled $39.5 million, or 28 percent of revenue, compared to $55.7 million, or 42 percent of revenue, for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008. Included in the fourth quarter gross profit was an $11.3 million charge related to the company’s cancellation of purchase orders with certain PV-related suppliers. Operating margin for the quarter was 15 percent, compared to 31 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The company had net income of $11.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 versus $28.5 million for the same quarter of fiscal 2008. Earnings per share in the fourth quarter on a fully diluted basis were $0.08, versus $0.20 for the same quarter last year. Fiscal year and fourth quarter 2009 earnings per share included the effect of the $0.05 per share charge mentioned above.

At quarter’s end, the company’s backlog was $1.18 billion, with $341 million in the PV segment and $836 million in the polysilicon segment.

Management Commentary

“Fiscal 2009 was a year of significant accomplishment for GT Solar in both our PV and polysilicon segments, as we grew revenue, maintained a healthy backlog, diversified our customer base, and advanced our leading technology position,” said Tom Zarrella, president and chief executive officer. “We believe we are solidly positioned for the long term with a differentiated business model, highly variable cost structure and strong balance sheet.

“Against the backdrop of the macroeconomic downturn, we saw slower spending by customers in our PV equipment business in the second half of our fiscal year, a trend that is continuing in fiscal 2010. In our polysilicon business, we expect to ship a significant portion of our reactor-based backlog over the next few months and recognize revenue later in fiscal year 2010. We are encouraged that many of our polysilicon customers continue to execute their projects in anticipation of the promising long-term future growth of solar."

Business Outlook

The company is providing guidance for fiscal year ending April 3, 2010 for revenue of $450 million to $550 million and fully diluted earnings per share of $0.45 to $0.60. The company will provide additional detail on its outlook during today’s webcasted conference call.

Conference Call, Webcast

The company will host a live conference call and webcast at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today with Tom Zarrella, president and chief executive officer, and Bob Woodbury, chief financial officer.

To listen to the conference call, callers in the United States and Canada may dial 1-877-856-1960. International callers may dial 1-719-325-4769. A link to the live audio webcast of the company's earnings conference call may be found under ‘Events and Presentations’ at http://investor.gtsolar.com/.

A telephone replay will be available through May 25, 2009. To listen to the replay, callers in the United States and Canada may dial 1-888-203-1112. International callers may dial 1-719-457-0820. The replay passcode is 5753346.

[R-BgO]

MERRIMACK, N.H., May 26, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- GT Solar, a global provider of specialized equipment
and technology for the solar power industry, today announced that it has received final acceptance for the
design, installation and commissioning of the first integrated photovoltaic (PV) solar wafer and cell turnkey
fabrication line in Greece.
The state-of-the-art production line, created for Greece-based Solar Cells Hellas S.A., has an annual capacity
of 30-megawatts (MW). It delivers a stable production process that produces high-quality multi-crystalline cells
of optimum efficiency. With the commissioning of this turnkey solution, Solar Cells Hellas becomes the first PV
manufacturer in Greece.
"The successful start-up of this wafer and cell turnkey line is additional confirmation that GT Solar delivers to
our customers advanced technological solutions that are efficiently implemented through the application of our
extensive process know-how," said Ron Jones, vice president and general manager of GT Solar's turnkey
business. "We're proud to have worked with Solar Cells Hellas to open this world-class facility in the Greek
port city of Patras, and believe they are well-positioned to help meet the increasing demand for solar energy in
Greece and throughout Western Europe."
GT Solar is one of only a small number of equipment providers that offers turnkey solutions for every process
involved in manufacturing PV wafers, cells, and modules. The company's turnkey solutions, which integrate GT
Solar and best of breed third party equipment, are built to increase customers' productivity, boost quality and
improve line yields, all resulting in a low cost of ownership. Comprehensive training and world-class service
back each turnkey offering. GT Solar has successfully installed a variety of turnkey line configurations in
countries around the globe including China, India, Italy, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
"Being new to the industry, Solar Cells Hellas needed a partner that we could rely on - one with significant PV
manufacturing expertise and experience," said Dimitris Panagakos, chairman for Solar Cells Hellas. "Not only
was GT Solar able to build and deploy our equipment, but they also helped us design and configure our facility,
and provided the training that will allow us to realize the best possible results. We're pleased at how quickly
we've been able to get our operations up-and-running, and we look forward to expanding relationship with GT
Solar as we grow our company."
A GT Solar turnkey solution is built on the solid foundation of GT Solar's industry-leading directional
solidification systems (DSS) furnace technology. GT Solar's wafer fabrication line (GT-WAFFABTM) delivers
high-quality multi-crystalline ingots to the wafer lines. It features leading-edge equipment technologies for
squaring, polishing, chamfering, wafering, cleaning, and inspection. GT Solar's cell turnkey line (GT-
CELFABTM) is designed to produce high efficiency solar cells from round or square, mono or multi-crystalline
silicon wafers.

[R-BgO]

GT Solar Introduces Silane Production Package
in News Departments > Products & Technology
by SI Staff on Wednesday 24 June 2009
email the content item print the content item Follow SolarIndustry On Twitter

GT Solar, a global provider of specialized equipment and technology for the solar power industry, has made available the silane production package, which is designed to enable companies in the semiconductor, solar and flat-panel display industries to secure their own source of ultra-pure silane gas using cost-effective, local production facilities.

"Increased demand from the semiconductor, photovoltaic and flat-panel display industries has resulted in shortages of silane gas accompanied by rising prices," notes Dave Keck, vice president and general manager of GT Solar's polysilicon business. "As the need for silane gas continues to grow, companies around the globe are beginning to seek more secure solutions."

GT Solar's new offering is a modular equipment solution and basic engineering package that enables companies to construct silane plants and begin delivering silane gas within 24 months, the company says. The package includes design, fabrication, quality control, training and technical support services, as well as a modular silane production plant, complete with piping, instrumentation and analytical equipment.

GT Solar: [phone]

[R-BgO]

04.08.2009 22:30
GT Solar International, Inc. Reports Results for First Quarter Fiscal Year 2010

Revenue of $71.8 million; deferred revenue of $517 million; net income of $7.8 million; EPS of $.05 and cash of $161 million

GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR) ("GT Solar"), a global provider of specialized equipment and technology for the solar power industry, today reported results for its first quarter of fiscal year 2010, which ended June 27, 2009.

Revenue for the first fiscal quarter totaled $71.8 million, compared with $57.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Revenue for the first fiscal quarter included $19.9 million in the PV segment and $51.9 million in the polysilicon segment.

Gross profit for the quarter totaled $35.0 million, or 49 percent of revenue, compared to $24.3 million, or 43 percent of revenue, for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Operating margin for the quarter was 21.7 percent, compared to 14 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The company had net income of $7.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 versus $5.1 million for the same quarter of fiscal 2009. Earnings per share in the first quarter on a fully-diluted basis were $0.05, versus $0.03 for the same quarter last year.

At quarter’s end, the company’s backlog was $1.12 billion, with $330 million in the PV segment and $785 million in the polysilicon segment. Net bookings for the quarter were $9.8 million.

Management Commentary

”We saw a number of positive developments in the first quarter including solid profitability, increases in our cash position and deferred revenue balance, new PV bookings and the acceptance of another GT turnkey wafer fabrication line,” said Tom Zarrella, president and chief executive officer. ”As planned, we completed shipment of a significant portion of the reactor-based backlog that is expected to be recognized as revenue in the second half of the year.

”The company is focused on improving operating efficiencies, maintaining cash and a strong balance sheet, strengthening customer relationships and ensuring that our R&D continues to advance GT Solar’s technology leadership,” said Zarrella. ”We are confident that, with our cash management practices, lean cost structure, and flexible business model, we will be in a position to deliver enhanced earnings performance when the industry's growth returns.”

Business Outlook

The company indicated today that it is on track with its guidance provided last quarter for fiscal year ending April 3, 2010, for revenue of $450 million to $550 million and fully-diluted earnings per share of $0.45 to $0.60.

Conference Call, Webcast

The company will host a live conference call and webcast at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today with Tom Zarrella, president and chief executive officer, and Rich Johnson, vice president of finance.

To listen to the conference call, callers in the United States and Canada may dial 1-888-396-2384. International callers may dial 1-617-847-8711. The conference call passcode is SOLR. A link to the live audio webcast of the company's earnings conference call may be found under ‘Events’ at http://investor.gtsolar.com/.

A telephone replay will be available through November 4, 2009. To listen to the replay, callers in the United States and Canada may dial 1- 888-286-8010. International callers may dial 1- 617-801-6888. The replay passcode is 33310487.

[R-BgO]

08.09.2009 02:02
GT Solar Opens New Asia Headquarters in Shanghai

Solar Equipment Provider Strengthens Commitment to Asian Customers

GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR), a global provider of specialized production equipment, process technology and turnkey manufacturing services for the solar power industry, today formally opened its new Asia Headquarters in Shanghai, China.

GT Solar’s new facility makes it easier for Asian companies to conduct business with GT Solar by reducing the time it takes to obtain products, spare parts and service. The new facility will also be used to provide product demonstrations and training to customers in the region. The facility represents a significant expansion of GT Solar’s presence in Asia, which was first established in 2006.

”This is an exciting day for GT Solar,” said Tom Zarrella, GT Solar’s president and chief executive officer. ”Our company has experienced tremendous growth in Asia over the past several years, developing a leading market position in polysilicon reactors, specialized furnaces, and engineering and integration services for the photovoltaic industry.”

”The opening of our Asia Headquarters underscores our commitment to the region and to further strengthening our relationship with our large customer base in Asia,” said Jeff Ford, general manager of GT Solar’s Asia region. ”Our expanded presence will enhance the quality, timeliness and responsiveness of our services and products in Asia, and enable us to help our customers further lower the cost of producing solar energy.”

GT Solar’s four-story Asia Headquarters is strategically located in the Gaodong Industrial Park between the Waigaoqiao Terminal Port and Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone. The facility comprises more than 50,000 square feet including a state-of-the-art customer demonstration and training center, an area dedicated to light manufacturing and assembly, spares warehousing, and office space.

[R-BgO]

19.01.2010 16:40
GT Solar unterzeichnet neue Verträge mit GCL-Poly im Wert von über 40 Mio. US-Dollar


Führendes chinesisches Solarunternehmen kauft Ausrüstung, Technologie und Know-How von GT Solar

GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR), ein globaler Anbieter spezialisierter Produktionsausrüstungen, Verfahrenstechnologien und betriebsbereiter Fertigungsdienste für die Solarstromindustrie, meldete heute die Unterzeichnung von Verträgen im Wert von über 40 Mio. US-Dollar mit zwei hundertprozentigen Tochtergesellschaften der in China ansässigen GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited ("GCL-Poly"). Der erste Vertrag mit Jiangsu Zhongneng Polysilicon Technology Development Co., Ltd., bezieht sich auf GT Solars klassenbeste Technologielösung für die TCS-Produktion (Trichlorosilan). Der zweite Vertrag mit Jiangsu GCL Silicon Material Technology Development Co. Ltd. hat GT Solars marktführende DSS-Schmelzöfen und Zusatzgeräte (Directional Solidification System, System für die gerichtete Erstarrung) zum Gegenstand. Mit diesen Verträgen kaufen GCL-Poly und seine Tochtergesellschaften erstmals Ausrüstung und Dienstleistungen von GT Solar.

GT Solars TCS-Produktionslösung beinhaltet die gesamte Technologie und grundlegenden technischen Dienste, die zur Herstellung von Trichlorosilan notwendig sind, eines der wichtigsten Rohmaterialien für Herstellung von Polysilizium. In den DSS-Schmelzöfen von GT Solar wird Polysilizium eingeschmolzen und in multikristalline Siliziumbarren umgewandelt, die zu Solarwafern und schließlich zu Solarzellen weiterverarbeitet werden.

"GCL-Poly ist entschlossen, der Solarbranche qualitativ hochwertige und kostengünstige Rohmaterialien zu liefern, indem es die besten Technologien und Ausrüstungen ihrer Klasse nutzt", sagte Zhu Gong Shan, der geschäftsführende Direktor, Vorsitzende und CEO von GCL-Poly. "Bei unserer Entscheidung zum Kauf der TCS-Produktionslösung und der DSS-Geräte von GT Solar war seine nachgewiesene Kompetenz in sowohl der Polysiliziumproduktion als auch der Barrenkristallisierung ausschlaggebend. GT Solars TCS-Produktionslösung sollte uns helfen, die Qualität unserer Polysiliziumproduktion zu erhöhen und ihre Kosten zu senken. Die erwartete fristgerechte Lieferung der DSS-Schmelzöfen sollte dazu beitragen, dass unser neues Barren- und Waferproduktionswerk im Jahr 2010 seinen Betrieb aufnehmen kann."

"Wir freuen uns, GCL-Poly als einen neuen Kunden der Polysilizium- und PV-Ausrüstungssparten von GT Solar willkommen zu heißen", sagte Tom Gutierrez, GT Solars Präsident und CEO. "Unsere Beziehung zu GCL-Poly baut unsere Marktposition in China weiter aus und verstärkt unsere Vorreiterrolle in der Technologieentwicklung. Wir glauben, dass GT Solars DSS-Schmelzöfen das ideale System für die führenden PV-Hersteller aus aller Welt sind. Darüber hinaus ist unsere Technologielösung für die TCS-Produktion ein weiterer Fortschritt für diese führende Technologie, der zu einer signifikanten Senkung der Produktionskosten von Polysilizium beitragen sollte."

[R-BgO]

Im JASO-Call wurde gesagt, dass sie GT Solar-Equipment kaufen.

[R-BgO]

Canadian Solar cites defective production tools as reason for lowered margin guidance
19 February 2010 | By Tom Cheyney | News > Fab and Facilities

Despite an expected higher level of solar module shipments, Canadian Solar has been forced to reduce its previously issued gross margin guidance for the fourth quarter because of what the company describes as “higher processing costs and lower yields caused by certain defective production equipment” at its new ingot and wafer production facilities in Luoyang, China. The vertically integrated solar manufacturer says that it “is in the process of correcting these issues with the equipment vendor.”

Canadian Solar also blames the lower gross margins, now expected to be in the mid-teens, on “the clearing and revaluing of certain aged solar cell inventory, partly caused by the reduction of module ASP in December 2009.”

Quarterly shipments will be in the 128-138MW range, according to the company, slightly better than previous guidance.

The unnamed tool vendor in question is evidently a locally based concern, not GT Solar or any of Canadian Solar’s other international equipment suppliers.

“The defective heating design of a domestic multifurnace supplier caused high processing cost and low yield in Q4,” according to a Feb. 19 note issued by Jesse Pichel of PiperJaffray. “[Canadian Solar] has since shut down the defective furnaces. A solution has been found and the vendor is working to fix all the furnaces.”

Jeff Nestel-Patt, spokesman for GT Solar, told PV Tech that “Canadian Solar runs a mixed equipment environment in their ingot and wafer operations. We have determined that the problem does not come from the GT Solar DSS furnaces, but rather a local supplier.

“Canadian Solar is happy with the performance and quality of our furnaces,” he added. “In fact, we have received a new order for our DSS 450 furnaces that will be delivered in the April timeframe.”

Canadian Solar will hold its quarterly conference call March 3 to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and business outlook for the coming year.

[R-BgO]

GT Solar Bags $200m Multiple DSS Contracts
Published: 25-Feb-2010
GT Solar International (GT Solar) has signed new contracts totaling approximately $200m for its DSS450 ingot growth furnaces and ancillary equipment and services.

This includes a $137m follow-on order from a Chinese customer, as well as orders from Tianwei New Energy, Phoenix Photovoltaic Technology, Yingli Green Energy, JA Solar, Taiwan-based Sino-American Silicon Products, and one other customer.

Tom Gutierrez, president and CEO of GT Solar, said: "We are pleased that leading PV manufacturers continue to express confidence in our ingot growth technology, as evidenced by these orders from our valued Asian customers.

"GT Solar is well positioned in Asia to meet the needs of our growing base of customers with the investment we have made for additional service and support capability in our Shanghai facility. The reliability of our DSS450 ingot growth furnace continues to deliver proven value to our customers by providing a lower cost of ownership and reducing their cost of manufacturing."

The orders were booked in GT Solar's current fourth fiscal quarter and revenue for these orders is expected to be recognized in periods subsequent to the current fiscal year, GT Solar said.

GT Solar is a provider of production equipment, process technology and turnkey manufacturing services for the solar power industry.

[dicki31785]

http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2010/06/08/gt-solar…

[R-BgO]

GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR) ("GT Solar"), ein führender globaler Anbieter von Technologien für die Produktion von Polysilizium, Systemen zur Herstellung von Kristallblöcken und zugehörigen photovoltaischen Produktionsdiensten für die Solarstromindustrie, gab heute die Übernahme des Privatunternehmens Crystal Systems, Inc. bekannt. Crystal Systems ist ein auf Kristallzuchttechnologien spezialisiertes Unternehmen und stellt qualitativ hochwertige großflächige Saphirsubstrate her, die in der LED-Industrie, der Rüstungsbranche, dem Gesundheitswesen und der Luft- und Raumfahrt verwendet werden.

"Die Kompetenz von Crystal Systems in der Saphirherstellung ergänzt unser Wissen über Siliziumtechnologien und wir glauben, dass wir durch diesen Zusammenschluss in der Lage sein werden, binnen kurzer Zeit Produkte anzubieten, welche die Saphirkristallisierungstechnologien anderer Hersteller bei Weitem übertreffen", sagte Tom Gutierrez, der Präsident und CEO von GT Solar. "Nach unserer Einschätzung werden wir von den attraktiven Gelegenheiten profitieren, die wir in den Märkten für LEDs und spezialisierte Hightech-Produkte entdeckt haben, wo kostengünstige Kristallsubstrate von hoher Qualität gefragt sind. Crystal Systems kann auf eine reiche Innovationsgeschichte zurückblicken und wir glauben, dass die Kombination seiner technischen Kompetenz und unserer bewährten globalen Betriebserfahrung sowie unserer verfügbaren Kapitalressourcen die Einführung neuer kostengünstiger Saphirkristallisierungslösungen von hoher Qualität beschleunigen wird."

Crystal Systems wurde im Jahr 1971 gegründet und ist ein führender Anbieter von Saphir- und Ti:Saphirmaterialien, der sich mit seinen Innovationen in der Kristallzuchttechnologie einen Namen gemacht hat. Das Unternehmen nutzt seine eigenen und ergänzende Kompetenzen in der Kristallzucht und Verfahrenstechnologie, um großformatige Saphirprodukte von hoher Qualität zu günstigen Preisen zu produzieren. Die Entwicklungs- und Fertigungsanlagen von Crystal Systems befinden sich in Salem, US-Bundesstaat Massachusetts. Fred Schmid, der Gründer des Unternehmens und der Erfinder des HEM-Verfahrens (Heat Exchanger Method) wird in einer gehobenen technischen Position zu GT Solar kommen, um die Kommerzialisierung dieser Technologie weiter voranzutreiben.

Branchenanalysten schätzen, dass sich der LED-Markt dank der gestiegenen Umsätze von z. B. Flachbildfernsehern und Beleuchtungsprodukten für gewerbliche und private Zwecke über die kommenden Jahre hinweg mit einer jährlichen Wachstumsrate von bis zu 40 Prozent weiterentwickeln könnte. Saphire sind das meistverwendete Substrat in diesem schnell wachsenden Markt.

Dem Vertrag zufolge beinhaltet der Kaufpreis eine Summe von ca. 24 Mio. US-Dollar in bar, 5,4 Millionen Stammaktien von GT-Solar und eine Earn-Out-Zahlung von 21 Mio. US-Dollar in bar, die vom Erreichen bestimmter finanzieller und technischer Zielvorgaben abhängig ist. Crystal Systems ist ein profitables Unternehmen mit einem erwarteten Umsatz von etwa 16 Mio. US-Dollar im Kalenderjahr 2010. Das Unternehmen wird in den nächsten 18 Monaten einen positiven Beitrag zum Betriebsergebnis von GT Solar leisten und sollte sich ab Ende des Geschäftsjahres 2012 steigernd auf dessen Aktiengewinn auswirken.

Das Management von GT Solar wird die Übernahme auf seiner Telefonkonferenz zu den Ergebnissen des 1. Quartals des Geschäftsjahres 2011 erörtern, die am Donnerstag, dem 5. August um 08.00 Uhr Eastern Time stattfindet. Die Telefonkonferenz wird als Live-Webcast auf der Investorenrubrik der Website von GT Solar unter www.gtsolar.com übertragen. Sie kann auch unter den Rufnummern 866.770.7146 oder 617.213.8068 (international) verfolgt werden. Der Zugangscode für die Telefonübertragung lautet SOLR.

[R-BgO]

August 03, 2010 08:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time
GT Solar Receives $23.4 Million Follow-on Order from OCI for Polysilicon Production Equipment

Order includes SDR 400 reactors with improved throughput and reduced power consumption

MERRIMACK, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR), a global provider of polysilicon production technology, and sapphire and silicon crystalline growth systems for the solar, LED and other specialty markets, today announced that it has received a $23.4 million follow-on order from South Korea-based polysilicon producer OCI Company, Ltd. for its newest SDR™ 400 CVD reactors and other equipment to support OCI’s polysilicon plant expansion.

“We are pleased by the confidence OCI has demonstrated with our polysilicon production technology,” said Tom Gutierrez, GT Solar’s president and CEO. “The additional throughput and cost savings of the SDR 400 CVD reactor allows OCI to further enhance their cost competitiveness.”

The SDR 400 reactor has proven capability of producing over 400 metric tons of polysilicon annually and continues GT Solar’s leadership position for developing the most energy efficient reactors in the industry. The SDR 400 reduces power consumption by an additional 20 percent per kilogram of polysilicon produced compared to GT Solar’s highly efficient SDR 300. OCI’s phase 3.5 expansion is expected to be completed in October 2011.

[R-BgO]

GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR) ("GT Solar"), a global provider of polysilicon production technology, and sapphire and silicon crystalline growth systems and materials for the solar, LED and other specialty markets, today reported results for its first quarter fiscal year 2011, which ended July 3, 2010. The recently announced acquisition of Crystal Systems, Inc. occurred after the close of this period.

Revenue for the first fiscal quarter totaled $135.2 million, compared with $194.7 million in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2010 and $71.8 million in the first quarter of last fiscal year. Revenue for the first fiscal quarter included $23.7 million in the polysilicon segment and $111.5 million in the Photovoltaic (PV) segment, of which $41.1 million was for turnkey.

Gross profit for the first quarter totaled $45.9 million, or 34.0 percent of revenue, compared to $73.1 million, or 37.5 percent of revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010 and $35.0 million, or 48.7 percent of revenue for the first quarter of last fiscal year. This quarter's gross margin percentage was lower than the company's average annual rate due to lower-than-average margins for the turnkey revenue.

Operating margin for the quarter was 20.0 percent of revenue, compared to 28.4 percent of revenue in the fourth quarter of last fiscal year and 21.7 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

The company had net income of $16.5 million in the first fiscal quarter, versus $33.3 million in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2010 and $7.8 million for the first quarter of last fiscal year. Earnings per share in the first quarter on a fully diluted basis were $0.11, versus $0.23 for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2010 and $0.05 for the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

Cash and short term investments at the end of the first quarter were $276.4 million, compared to $250.7 million at the end of the fourth fiscal quarter of 2010 and $161.4 million for the first quarter of last fiscal year.

As of July 3, 2010, the company's backlog was $1.12 billion, with $519.8 million in the polysilicon segment and $604.1 million in the PV segment. Included in the total backlog was $321.3 million of deferred revenue. Net new orders for the quarter were $352.8 million.

Management Commentary

"The increase in business activity that we saw in the latter half of fiscal year 2010 continued to build throughout the first quarter of our new fiscal year, leading to a very strong performance," said Tom Gutierrez, president and chief executive officer. "We exceeded our top line expectations with over $135 million of revenue, had over $352 million of net new bookings, and exited the quarter with a backlog of more than $1 billion.

"This continued high level of demand and improving solar industry fundamentals provide the foundation for us to increase our expectations for the balance of the fiscal year," continued Gutierrez. "We believe that there is significant potential over the next several years for market expansion within the solar sector and that, with our leading technology in both the DSS furnace and polysilicon reactor businesses, we are very well positioned to compete for future business and capitalize on these opportunities.

"As announced last week, we have completed the acquisition of Crystal Systems. We are very excited about the growth opportunities this offers GT Solar in the rapidly expanding sapphire market," Gutierrez said. "Crystal Systems has a rich history of innovation and we believe the combination of their technical expertise with our proven global operating experience and capital resources will accelerate the adoption of new low-cost, high-quality crystalline sapphire solutions and maximize the attractive opportunities we have identified in equipment, LED, and other specialty markets."

Business Outlook

The company updated its fiscal year 2011 guidance with revenue of $700 million to $775 million, gross margin of 40 percent to 41 percent and fully diluted earnings per share of $0.90 to $1.00. This guidance includes the effect of the Crystal Systems acquisition. The company will provide additional detail on its outlook during its live webcasted conference call tomorrow morning, details below.

Conference Call, Webcast

The company will host a live conference call at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time tomorrow, August 5, with Tom Gutierrez, president and chief executive officer, Richard Gaynor, chief financial officer, Dave Gray, vice president and general manager for PV and sapphire systems, and Paul Beaulieu, vice president of business development. During the call the company will review quarterly results, provide an update on longer-term outlook and discuss the recently announced Crystal Systems acquisition.

The call is expected to last approximately 90 minutes and a slide presentation will accompany the call.

The call will be webcast live and can be accessed by logging on to the "Investors" section of GT Solar's website, www.gtsolar.com. No password is required to access the webcast.

The live call can also be accessed by dialing 866.770.7146 for callers in the United States and Canada and 617.213.8068 for international callers. The telephone passcode is SOLR.

A replay of the call will be available through October 5, 2010. To access the webcast replay, please go to http://investor.gtsolar.com/ and select the webcast replay link on the 'Events and Presentations' page. Or, please dial 888.286.8010 for callers in the United States and Canada, or 617.801.6888 for international callers. The telephone replay passcode is 87719031.

[R-BgO]

Valencia, Spain September 7 - AEG Power Solutions (AEG PS) introduces its new Thyrobox™ PI power system which will set new efficiency standards in polysilicon production. The new Thyrobox™ is unveiled for the first time at the 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (Feria Valencia, Valencia, Spain).


Using proprietary technology developed by AEG PS, the Thyrobox™ PI, allows manufacturers of polysilicon, to increase the production output of their existing polysilicon reactors by 10% to 20%, depending on reactor configuration and process condition. AEG Power Solutions confirms here its technological leadership on this market as well as its focus on developing innovative products to answer customer needs. This unique technology can be a key element to upgrade existing polysilicon facilities.

Polysilicon is the base material used in the manufacturing of solar cells. With decreasing poly silicon prices, manufactures are under ever increasing pressure to lower operational manufacturing costs. Thyrobox™ PI can easily be added to existing AEG Power Solutions Thyrobox power systems. That way it allows for permanently lowered operational costs with minimal investment as no new or additional deposition reactors are needed. In addition to increased polysilicon productivity the Thyrobox™ PI reduces internal thermal stresses thus preventing rod cracks, allows for more uniform growth, improves rod joint bridge shaping and minimizes hot spots.
“AEG Power Solutions has been leading in power control development for many years now. As a result we have a very clear picture of what really helps our clients to lower their production costs and improve manufacturing process”, explains Gladwyn De Vidts, AEG Power Solutions’ Vice President and General Manager Power Control Systems. “We strongly believe the Thyrobox™ PI marks a technological breakthrough with regards to optimized polysilicon production efficiency.”

Along with the introduction of the Thyrobox™ PI, AEG Power Solutions is partnering with GT Solar to offer the Thyrobox™ PI as part of a turnkey solution using GTSolar’s SDR™ series of CVD reactors. This next generation power system is designed to be integrated with GT’s SDR-400 to enable reactor capacities over 500 MTA. “GT Solar is pleased to be working with AEG in bringing this new and exciting technology to market,” said Dave Keck, Vice President and General Manager of GT Solar’s polysilicon division. “AEG PS’ vision is consistent with GT Solar’s vision of delivering sustained value to customers by lowering the cost of PV manufacturing.”

[dicki31785]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 40.111.261 von R-BgO am 07.09.10 15:29:05

dilution....und wie:

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Newsfeed/Article/11…

[dicki31785]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 40.113.080 von dicki31785 am 07.09.10 18:56:25

pricing of stock offering:

http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2010-09/17927691…

[Dividend]

Stocks That Insiders Are Buying and Selling
Here is a current list of the top 10 insider buys and sells from last month. In total, the top 10 insiders sold shares in an amount of USD 1.13 billion. Roughly USD 0.183 billion were bought from the top 10 insiders. The sales to buys ratio amounts to 6.21.

http://long-term-investments.blogspot.com/2010/11/stocks-tha…

An insider is a person who has the function as officer, director, key employee or large shareholder with potential access to non-public information about the company. Insider trades could indicate that insiders, those who probably know the company best, are confident of its future success. Insider buys and sells are no perfect indicators, but they often show the intension of better informed persons to its investments. In many cases, the company was getting worse after insider sold stocks and vice versa.



Related stock ticker symbols sales:
MSFT, MTB, ST, TRW, WFMI, ORCL, TFM, SOLR, BKD, BLK


Related stock ticker symbols buys:
GGP, FBC, PPC, AIG, MOT, TAROF, LYV, HHC, RE, SD

[R-BgO]

GT Solar books $84M in orders for LED equipment


MERRIMACK, N.H.

GT Solar International Inc. on Wednesday said it received its first two orders for sapphire crystallization systems, marking its entry into the market for light-emitting diode equipment.

The orders follow the company's acquisition in July of Crystal Systems Inc., which makes sapphire substrates.

The deals with Jiangsu Jixing New Material Co. Ltd and Jiujiang Sapphire Tech Co. Ltd. total more than $84 million, GT Solar said. They bring the company's bookings for the quarter to more than $245 million.

On average, analysts expect the company to post revenue of $251.9 million for the quarter ending in December, according to a poll by Thomson Reuters.

In midday trading, GT Solar shares shot up 80 cents, or 12 percent, to $7.49 on heavy trading volume.

[R-BgO]

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Solar equipment company GT Solar(SOLR_) has had its second success in breaking into the market for LED market raw material production, selling a sapphire furnace to South Korean polysilicon giant OCI.


The solar industry is expected to experience a year of slowing growth in 2011, and while equipment makers like GT Solar are viewed by many as defensive plays for a period of uncertainty, it's a positive that GT Solar is having initial success in the LED market, and with a major customer, demonstrating the cross-selling potential.

The GT Solar order with OCI is for $33.3 million. The order will be included in GT Solar's backlog for its current fiscal fourth quarter 2011, which ends on April 2, 2011.

GT Solar purchased a sapphire crystallization business last year as a way to offset the cyclicality in its solar equipment business. It nabbed its first sapphire market deal in December with two Chinese customers for $84 million.

The LED/semiconductor market has its own supply/demand dynamic, distinct for the swings in solar equipment ordering. It's a strategy that has played out from the other LED market side of the supply/demand equation as well, with LED market leader Veeco Instruments(VECO_).

In fact, GT Solar's CEO Thomas Guttierez recently joined the board of directors of Veeco.

Between the dealmaking from both Veeco and GT Solar, and the fact that OCI, a major polysilicon supplier, is entering into the production of LED market raw materials, the cross currents between solar and the LED space are growing.

Stifel noted in a research note on Thursday morning that GCL, another major customer of GT Solar for solar equipment, is entering the sapphire substrate market as well and "we would expect an order for FY2012 delivery," the Stifel analyst wrote.

LED market leader Cree(CREE_) reported results this week that showed an inventory correction in the LED market, specific to a slower-than-expected adoption of street lamp LED technology by China. However, a better read on conditions in the sapphire market specifically will come when Rubcon Technology(RBCN_), a main player in the production of the sapphire substrate that serves as a core raw material in LED production, reports on Feb. 16.

"We see GT Solar as well positioned to capture share in this growth market, especially as new entrants outside of the historic incumbents such as Sapphire Technologies, Rubicon, Kyocera and Namiki, expand capacity," Stifel analyst Jeff Osbourne wrote on Thursday.

[R-BgO]

WOW!:


28.04.2011 03:40
Business Wire

GT Solar erhält Großauftrag in Höhe von 218,9 Millionen US-Dollar von Guizhou Haotian Optoelectronics Technology Co. LTD für seine modernen Saphir-Kristallisationsöfen

Kostensenkende Saphir-Kristallisationstechnologie von GT sorgt für anhaltende Marktdynamik

GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR), ein globaler Anbieter von Technologien für die Produktion von Polysilicium, von Systemen zur Herstellung von Saphir- und Siliciumkristallen und von Materialien für die Solarindustrie, die LED-Branche und andere Spezialmärkte, gab heute bekannt, dass das Unternehmen einen Großauftrag in Höhe von 218,9 Millionen US-Dollar von Guizhou Haotian Optoelectronics Technology Co. LTD (HTOT) für seine modernen Saphir-Kristallisationsöfen erhalten hat. Der Auftrag markiert den Markteintritt von HTOT in die rasant wachsende LED-Branche und verstärkt erneut die anhaltende Marktdynamik der Saphir-Kristallisationstechnologie von GT Solar auf Grundlage seiner modernen Saphir-Öfen. Der Auftrag wird dem aktuellen Auftragsbestand von GT Solar für das 1. Quartal des Geschäftsjahrs (bis einschließlich 2. Juli 2011) zugeordnet.

"Unser Eintritt in den LED-Markt bietet eine neue strategische Wachstumschance für unser Unternehmen, die Stadt Guiyang und die Region Guizhou", so Hao Xu, Chairman des Board der Guizhou Industrial Investment Group. "Unsere neue Saphir-Produktionsstätte wird das Wirtschaftswachstum in der Region fördern und HTOT als führenden Anbieter von Materialien für die LED-Branche etablieren. Dieses Projekt erfordert einen Technologiepartner, der zuverlässige und hochproduktive Anlagen bereitstellen kann und über Installations- und Support-Know-how verfügt, um unsere Produktionsanlagen bereits nach kurzer Zeit fertig zu stellen und in Betrieb zu setzen. Aufgrund seiner führenden Technologie, ausgewiesenen Erfolgsgeschichte und jahrelangen Erfahrung mit der Bereitstellung des notwendigen Know-hows für eine kosteneffiziente und hochproduktive Fertigung haben wir uns nun für GT Solar entschieden."

"Wir sind hocherfreut, dass die Wahl von HTOT auf unsere modernen Saphir-Kristallisationsöfen gefallen ist und freuen uns nun auf eine langanhaltende und erfolgreiche Partnerschaft in den kommenden Jahren", so Tom Gutierrez, President und CEO bei GT Solar. "Wir beobachten nach wie vor ein zunehmendes Interesse der Unternehmen, um die sich bietenden Chancen der rasant wachsenden LED-Branche zu nutzen. Unsere erprobte Saphir-Kristallisationstechnologie gewährleistet die Produktion qualitativ hochwertiger Materialien und unsere globalen Installations- und Support-Serviceleistungen verhelfen unseren Kunden zu einer raschen Steigerung ihrer Produktionsmengen und ermöglichen deutliche Kosteneinsparungen."

Die moderne Saphir-Kristallisationstechnologie von GT Solar ist das Ergebnis unseres 40-jährigen Strebens nach Prozessverbesserungen und unserer Entwicklungsarbeit bei Crystal Systems, das im Juli 2010 von GT Solar übernommen wurde. Crystal Systems ist als einer der führenden Anbieter qualitativ hochwertiger Saphir-Materialien für die LED-Branche und die optische und mechanische Spezialindustrie anerkannt.

Über GT Solar International Inc.

GT Solar International Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR) ist ein globaler Anbieter von Technologien für die Produktion von Polysilicium, von Systemen zur Herstellung von Saphir- und Siliciumkristallen und von Materialien für die Solarindustrie, die LED-Branche und andere Spezialmärkte. Die Produkte und Dienstleistungen des Unternehmens versetzen seine Kunden in die Lage, ihre Produktionsumgebungen zu optimieren und Betriebskosten zu senken. Weitere Informationen über GT Solar finden Sie unter www.gtsolar.com.

Über Guizhou Haotian Optoelectronics Technology Co. LTD.

Guizhou Haotian Optoelectronics Technology Co. LTD (HTOT) entwickelt sich zu einem vertikal integrierten Hersteller einer breiten Palette von Saphirprodukten. Hierzu gehören unter anderem Saphirkristalle, Saphirkerne, Saphir-Wafer und andere kristalline Produkte für LEDs, Silicium auf Saphir (SOS), RFIC-Lösungen (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits), optoelektronische und andere optische Anwendungen. Nach der vollständigen Inbetriebnahme wird HTOT in der Lage sein, äußerst hochwertige Saphirprodukte unterschiedlicher Größen und Orientierungen der Substrate/Fenster herzustellen. Die Produkte und Serviceleistungen des Unternehmens werden eine qualitativ hochwertige Fertigung selbst bei großen Stückzahlen ermöglichen, sodass die Betriebskosten erheblich gesenkt werden können. www.ghtot.com

[dicki31785]

GT Solar could be next solar takeover target

Solar and LED equipment manufacturer GT Solar International Inc's string of contract wins and robust share gains this year could attract suitors eager for a foothold in a relatively stable corner of the volatile solar power industry.

Headquartered in Merrimack, New Hampshire, GT Solar makes equipment to manufacture both the cells used to make solar panels and polysilicon wafers, the solar industry's key raw material. It is the world's third-largest supplier of photovoltaic solar equipment behind U.S. rival Applied Materials Inc and Germany's Centrotherm.

Last year, GT Solar also entered the burgeoning LED business with its purchase of sapphire maker Crystal Systems. As the solar industry seeks to consolidate, however, many see the relatively small GT Solar as a seller rather than a buyer.

"If a company like Applied Materials or even one of the other big semiconductor capital equipment makers needed to quickly increase their exposure to the solar market, GT Solar would fit very well," said Kevin Landis, manager of the Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund. GT Solar is the $7 million fund's largest holding.

French energy major Total SA's $1.37 billion recent offer for a majority stake in U.S. panel maker SunPower Corp, and chip and solar equipment manufacturer Applied Materials' deal to buy Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates Inc for $4.9 billion, have invigorated hopes of more dealmaking in the solar industry, and GT Solar's strong balance sheet, growing order backlog and limited exposure to Europe are big selling points.

European markets such as Germany and Italy have been the driving force behind the solar industry in recent years, but generous government incentives in those nations are drying up and investors are eager to see companies move into growing markets such as China and the United States.

"We certainly expect companies that are leveraged to emerging markets outside of Europe to see disproportionate market share growth given a stagnation in European growth," analyst Alex Morris of Raymond James said on Thursday.

As new solar markets take off, large technology and industrial companies might seek to enter or ramp up their solar power operations.

"Traditionally, we've seen acquirers come almost exclusively from industrial conglomerates and the tech sector, which is what I'd expect if someone were to make a bid for GT Solar," Morris said. "That's one of the things that made the Total-SunPower deal so interesting; that it was a major oil and gas producer doing the acquiring."

Aside from top solar equipment maker Applied Materials, potential acquirers could include Swiss conglomerate Oerlikon Corp AG, LED equipment maker Veeco Instruments Inc, thermal processing equipment maker BTU International Inc, wafer processing equipment maker Amtech Systems Inc and semiconductor equipment maker Novellus Systems Inc as potential suitors.

GT Solar has stunned the market recently by announcing more than $710 million in orders since the end of April. Its stock has gained 28 percent in that time, although one analyst said the stock is still undervalued relative to what it could bring to an acquirer.

"Out of all the public equipment companies, it is the most profitable. It is going to command a much bigger premium than a comparable," said Wunderlich Securities analyst Theodore O'Neill, who rates the stock "buy" but owns none.

[dicki31785]

Shares of GT Solar (NASDAQ: SOLR) are popping in the after-hours trade following the release of the company's Q4 earnings results. Currently, shares are higher by 10.07%, trading at $12.79; they closed the regular session lower by 5.68%, at $11.62.

GT Solar reported Q4 EPS of $0.41 on revenues of $271.6 million; the Street was looking for $0.34 per share

The company also raised FY 2012 guidance to $1.55-1.85 per share with gross margins expected to come in at 42-44%.

"Our strong fourth quarter performance caps an outstanding year for GT and its shareholders," said Tom Gutierrez, president and chief executive officer.

"We achieved record revenues in fiscal year 2011 on 65 percent year-over-year growth and we more than doubled our earnings per share. We concluded the year with a strong balance sheet and cash position, while utilizing $203.5 million of cash to buy back 26.5 million shares from our private equity investor.”

GT Solar International, Inc. through its subsidiaries is a global provider of polysilicon production technology, crystalline ingot growth systems and related photovoltaic manufacturing services for the solar industry.

Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/after-hours-center/11/05/1106082/gt-…

[R-BgO]

einer der LED-Kunden:

4-inch sapphire substrates to reach 50% of capacity in 2012, says Tera Xtal chairman

Siu Han, Taipei; Jackie Chang, DIGITIMES [Wednesday 1 June 2011]

Demand for large-size sapphire substrates has been increasing and according to Chien Fu Shieh, chairman of Taiwan-based sapphire substrate maker Tera Xtal, 4-inch sapphire substrates will account for 50% of capacity in 2012. Tera Xtal had a fruitful year in 2010 as revenues tripled. Shieh stated that 2011 is still the year for Tera Xtal to achieve fast growth. Tera Xtal recently signed a contract with GT Solar.

The increasing range of LED products has been causing the demand for large-size sapphire substrates to increase as well. According to Shieh, demand for 4-inch sapphire substrates has been growing rapidly, and will slowly replace demand for 2-inch substrates. The self-sufficiency rate for sapphire ingots will increase to 30% at the end of 2011, stated Tera Xtal at a shareholders meeting on May 31.

Shieh stated the monthly capacity of 2-inch substrates will reach 400,000-450,000 units in second-quarter 2011 and is expected to expand to 600,000 units by the end of the year. In addition, patterned sapphire substrates have accounted for 20% of total revenues and are expected to increase to 50% by 2012.

Many Taiwan-based sapphire substrate makers, such as Crystalwise and Wafer Works, have been expanding capacity.

According to Shieh, LED customers have been increasingly adopting large-size substrates.

Tera Xtal recently announced cooperation with GT Solar to develop technologies for sapphire-crystal growing. Shieh indicated that Tera Xtal will expand into the sapphire-crystal growing business to gain better control of its costs. It is crucial for sapphire substrate makers to vertically integrate.

Tera Xtal registered on the OTC market in third-quarter 2010 and is expected to be publicly listed at end of 2011. Tera Xtal reported 2010 revenues of NT$1,728 million (US$60 million) with annual growth of 365%. According to industry estimates, although the price for sapphire substrates has been falling each quarter, it is still likely for Tera Xtal to experience a large growth in 2011 revenues.

[dicki31785]

http://www.thestreet.com/story/11171926/1/is-cree-or-rubicon…

[R-BgO]

August 02, 2011 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
GT Solar Receives $55.1 Million in New Orders for Polysilicon Production Equipment and Technology

MERRIMACK, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR), today announced that it has received an order from a new customer in Asia for polysilicon production equipment totaling $55.1 million. The new order represents GT Solar’s complete range of polysilicon production equipment including hydrochlorination equipment used for the production of TCS, SDR™ reactors, filament and product processing equipment, and other polysilicon production equipment. The order is included in the company’s backlog for the first quarter of FY12 which ended on July 2, 2011.

“As polysilicon prices continue to fall, producers must operate their plants at the highest levels of productivity and efficiency to remain profitable. Our polysilicon production equipment and technology enables customers to produce silicon at one of the lowest costs in the industry.”
“We are pleased to add this new customer to our growing family of polysilicon producers,” said Dave Keck, vice president and general manager of GT Solar’s polysilicon technology business unit. “As polysilicon prices continue to fall, producers must operate their plants at the highest levels of productivity and efficiency to remain profitable. Our polysilicon production equipment and technology enables customers to produce silicon at one of the lowest costs in the industry.”

GT Solar’s polysilicon production equipment includes the industry’s most productive and energy efficient CVD reactors and a full range of technology including hydrochlorination, filament and product processing equipment to provide a complete, low-cost end-to-end production solution.

[marvessa]

überragende Zahlen, Ausblick bestätigt, Alle Ampeln auf Grün, aber Horrorumfeld, wann kaufen ???

[R-BgO]

GT Advanced Technologies acquires Confluence Solar

Press release; Jackie Chang, DIGITIMES [Thursday 25 August 2011]


GT Advanced Technologies has announced it has acquired privately-held Confluence Solar, the developer of HiCz, a continuously-fed Czochralski (CCz) growth technology, that enables the production of high efficiency monocrystalline solar ingots.

The purchase price consisted of US$60 million in cash paid to Confluence Solar's shareholders at closing and an additional US$20 million of cash earn-outs payable upon the achievement of certain financial and technical milestones through GT's fiscal year 2013. Investors in Confluence Solar include Convexa Capital, OCI and Oceanshore Investors.

Inclusive of incremental R&D and capital investments to accelerate GT's time to market with a CCz product, the acquisition is expected to become accretive in the second half of GT's fiscal year 2013. GT indicated that the acquisition will eliminate certain previously planned organic development costs in both fiscal 2012 and 2013 which, when netted against the costs incurred in the acquired business, will make the acquisition additionally accretive in fiscal 2013.

"This acquisition adds an innovative technology to GT's PV product portfolio that is well aligned with our strategy to rapidly innovate and develop next-generation crystal growth solutions," said Tom Gutierrez, president and CEO of GT Advanced Technologies.

"PV manufacturers are focusing more closely on increasing cell efficiency as a way to lower the cost of solar energy. Confluence's HiCz technology is expected to drive down the cost of monocrystalline wafers below traditional Czochralski methods while enabling flexible production of advanced materials used in next generation cell architectures. Similar to our strategy deployed in the acquisition of Crystal Systems, our primary goal is to become a major equipment supplier to the CCz monocrystalline market by commercializing the technology that we have acquired. We expect to launch a commercial CCz mono equipment offering in our fiscal year 2013," added Gutierrez.

[R-BgO]

10.28.2011
Merrimack, New Hampshire United States
GT Advanced Technologies has received a $47.7 million order for polysilicon production equipment and technology from Polysilicon Technology Company (PTC), a company based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The order includes SDRTM 400 reactors and increases GT’s polysilicon bookings to over $500 million since the beginning of the current fiscal year, and will be included in GT’s backlog for its Q3 FY12, which ends on December 31, 2011.

“We have a strong record of helping new entrants to develop highly productive and low-cost polysilicon production plants around the world and we are excited to be working with Polysilicon Technology Company on this important project,” said Dave Keck, vice president and general manager of GT’s polysilicon business. “This project is an important step in establishing the renewable energy industry in Saudi Arabia and the region as a whole. We are proud to be associated with the highly qualified team at PTC.”

The order is GT’s first from a company based in Saudi Arabia and is the only active polysilicon production project in the Middle East at this time. The new contract continues a technology agreement with PTC that was first signed in 2009. The plant will be located in Jubail Industrial City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Delivery of equipment is expected to begin in the latter half of 2012 with completion scheduled for the end of the year.

“Making such an order reflects our clear vision, belief and commitment to this industry,” said Ibrahim Al-Humaidan, executive director of PTC. “PTC has wider plans and this major milestone embarks its onsite activities in Jubail, GT is a leader in this field with a proven track record and we are happy to be working with them and to be the first company to transfer such an advanced technology to our region.”