CyberOptics Corporation (Nasdaq: CYBE) today reported operating results for the first quarter of 2014 ended March 31.

• Revenues increased 46% to $9.8 million from $6.7 million in the year-earlier quarter. Completed in mid-March, the acquisition of Laser Design, Inc. (LDI), a Minneapolis-based 3D metrology company with annual revenues of approximately $6.0 million, contributed approximately $500,000 to CyberOptics’ consolidated first quarter revenues.
• The operating loss of $722,000 was down from $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2013.
• CyberOptics reported a net loss of $809,000 or $.12 per share, compared to the net loss of $2.1 million or $.31 per share in last year’s first quarter.
• Cash and marketable securities totaled $21.3 million at March 31, 2014, compared to $23.2 million at the end of 2013. Cash totaling $2.7 million was used in the first quarter to complete the LDI acquisition.

Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, president and chief executive officer, commented: “The first quarter of 2014 marked our second consecutive three-month period of significantly improved operating results, reinforcing our belief that CyberOptics’ growth initiatives and new products are steadily gaining traction. As a result, we remain optimistic about our future and are continuing to forecast double-digit sales growth for the full year.”

He continued: “Sales of SMT sensors increased 62% from last year’s first quarter, driven by demand for next-generation LaserAlign sensors from our largest OEM customer, who also has made our Embedded Process Verification sensors standard on some of its pick-and-place platforms. Sales of inspection systems rose 48% year-over-year due to increased sales of new SE600 solder paste inspection (SPI) and QX600 automated optical inspection (AOI) systems. Introduced in 2013, our new AOI and SPI systems are gaining share in their respective inspection markets. We also are encouraged by increased sales of pre-reflow AOI systems, reflecting the value customers are finding by inspecting circuit boards for defects before entering the reflow oven. Sales of semiconductor products, principally our WaferSense product line, were consistent with last year’s first quarter. We expect to book the initial orders for our new ReticleSense™ Airborne Particle Sensor (APSR), which wirelessly monitors airborne particles in semiconductor process equipment where reticles are implemented without opening the tool, in this year’s second quarter.”

Kulkarni said: “Development is progressing on schedule of our Multi-Reflection Suppression (MRS) 3D technology, which constitutes a key part of our objective to strategically position CyberOptics as a global leader in high-precision 3D sensors. This sensor technology will be deployed in our next-generation AOI system, which is aimed at expanding CyberOptics’ presence in the smart phone and tablet markets as well as other high-precision applications. We expect to launch this 3D AOI system in the fourth quarter of 2014.”

He added: “The LDI acquisition represents another aspect of our 3D strategy. LDI provides scanning systems and services to the estimated $825 million global 3D scanner and services metrology market. In addition to providing CyberOptics with an initial presence in the general metrology market, LDI will extend our reach into a diverse range of new industrial markets, where LDI serves a number of Fortune 500 companies. Our MRS 3D technology will be incorporated into future LDI products to strengthen their performance and competitiveness.”

Kulkarni stated: “As part of CyberOptics’ overall growth plans, we also are developing promising new products for inspecting memory modules and conformal coating on circuit boards. Both products are scheduled for introduction during the second half of 2014.”

Kulkarni concluded: “Reflecting demand for new products across all categories, we are forecasting improved year-over-year sales, excluding the positive impact of LDI, for the second quarter ending June 30. We also are continuing to forecast organic double-digit sales growth and a lower loss for 2014.”

About CyberOptics
Founded in 1984, CyberOptics Corporation is a leading provider of sensors and inspection systems that provide process yield and through-put improvement solutions for the global electronic assembly and semiconductor capital equipment markets. Our products are deployed on production lines that manufacture surface mount technology circuit boards and semiconductor process equipment. Through internal development and acquisitions, CyberOptics is strategically repositioning itself to become a global leader in high-precision 3D sensors. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, CyberOptics conducts worldwide operations through facilities in North America, Asia and Europe.