CyberOptics Corporation (Nasdaq: CYBE) today reported consolidated sales of $11.6 million for the third quarter of 2012 ended September 30, down from $17.1 million in the year-earlier period, reflecting continued weakness in the global SMT electronics market. The net loss for the current quarter was $447,000 or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to earnings of $1.6 million or $0.22 per diluted share in last year’s third quarter. The third quarter net loss included a restructuring charge of $217,000 related to the consolidation of Portland-based semiconductor research and product development into CyberOptics’ Minneapolis headquarters facility.

CyberOptics also announced that its board of directors has authorized a $3.0 million share repurchase program. The common stock will be acquired from time to time in open market transactions, block purchases and other transactions complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Rule 10b-18. The Company intends to adopt a 10b5-1 trading plan to implement the repurchase program.

Positive business developments during the third quarter included:

• Sales of semiconductor products, driven by strong growth of the productivity-enhancing WaferSense product line, totaled $1.9 million, an increase of 19% on a sequential quarterly basis and by 11% from the year-earlier period. WaferSense sales of $1.5 million were up 28% sequentially and 27% year-over-year. Semiconductor sales growth, which partly offset sharply lower sales of SMT sensor and system products, benefited from the recently introduced WaferSense particle sensor, which is being deployed by major semiconductor manufacturers.
• Sales of the new QX100 tabletop and QX100i in-line automated optical inspection, or AOI, systems exceeded half a million dollars in the third quarter and totaled $1.4 million for the first nine months of 2012, driven by sales to several key companies in the automotive industry in the Americas, Europe, Korea, and Japan, including Hyundai. The company also posted sales of its in-line dual lane versions of its AOI and solder paste inspection systems, to a variety of customers, including a leading notebook and tablet original design manufacturer in China. These new systems, which are outgrowths of a tiered pricing strategy, are enabling CyberOptics to meet changing customer needs, positioning the company to capture additional market share during the current market downturn.
• CyberOptics continued investing in next-generation products that will position the company for capitalizing upon the 2013 buying season. Under development are enhanced dual lane and dual illumination solder paste inspection systems, as well as QX tabletop and QX in-line AOI systems. Development of next-generation alignment sensors for key OEM customers is nearing completion and will be introduced shortly.

Kathleen P. Iverson, chief executive officer and chair, commented: “Given persistently sluggish global economic conditions, the ongoing downturn in the electronics market resulted in reduced demand for our SMT sensor and system products. However, our semiconductor products turned in a strong performance as our WaferSense product family continued to gain traction as a productivity enhancement tool for semiconductor manufacturers. We believe the consolidation of research and development for our semiconductor products into our Minneapolis facility will help us accelerate development of WaferSense products through more efficient access to CyberOptics’ deep base of sensor engineering talent.”

She continued: “Despite the challenging economic environment, CyberOptics’ financial condition remains very strong. Cash and marketable securities came to $31.2 million at the end of the third quarter, down modestly from $32.3 million at the end of the second quarter but up from $30.5 million at December 31, 2011. Our sizable cash position is allowing us to maintain our strong commitment to the development of important next-generation products that, we believe, will position us to capture additional share as the electronics market rebounds. In addition, we are continuing to evaluate strategic acquisition opportunities as a means for entering new markets with related technologies.”

Iverson said: “Backlog at September 30, 2012 totaled $2.2 million, compared to $4.3 million at the end of this year’s second quarter. This factor, combined with ongoing weakness in the global electronics industry, will result in a sequential decline in fourth quarter sales. Although soft market conditions are expected to continue at least through the first quarter of 2013, we believe our ongoing investments in new and enhanced products will position CyberOptics to take optimum advantage of the next market upturn.”

She added: “Over the past few years, we have strived to build flexibility into our business model that would enable us to work through periodic downturns in the market. As a result of this effort, we believe we are as well positioned as we ever have been, supported by new products and new customers that will help CyberOptics weather the current economic environment and emerge as a stronger company. Our $3.0 million share repurchase program reflects the confidence of our board of directors in the future of CyberOptics as one of the world’s leading providers of SMT electronics and semiconductor productivity solutions.”

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. By increasing productivity and product quality, our sensors and inspection systems enable electronics manufacturers to strengthen their competitive positions in highly price-sensitive markets. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we conduct worldwide operations through facilities in North America, Asia and Europe.