Wunstorf, Germany -- phoenix|x-ray Systems + Services reports that it has increased sales by 35% over fiscal 2003. According to a press release, the company has also given a positive impact on the regional employment quota, with a staff of over 70 employees that includes a growing number of research and development engineers.

phoenix|x-ray is a manufacturer of microfocus and nanofocus x-ray systems, x-ray tubes and computed tomography systems.

“We see this an investment into the future,” says Helmut Appelt, general manager. “Our goal is to keep our position of the market leader in our segment which means we always need to be ahead our competitors when it comes to developing new products.”

The company cites as an example the launch of the product series v|tome|x in 2002. The x-ray system combines 3-D computed tomography and 2-D inspection with submicron resolution. The demand for computed tomography has increased during the last couple of years, leading to an interesting market potential. Accordingly, phoenix|x-ray set-up a new business department for CT.

Despite the growth of the 3-D inspection business, phoenix|x-ray still sees new applications for 2-D inspection. The x|argos introduced in mid April is a high kV x-ray system for large samples up to 100 kg. The company believes the market potential for this system is large due to new materials and production techniques (especially in the automotive industry) that require high-resolution x-ray inspection.