NORTH BILLERICA, MA – BTU International today reported fourth-quarter 2010 net income of $2.2 million, compared to a net loss of $3.9 million in the same quarter of 2009 and breakeven in the preceding quarter.

Net sales for the period were a record-breaking $27.4 million, up 127% year-over-year, and up 44% sequentially.

Net income for 2010 was $2.2 million, compared to a net loss of $14.6 million in 2009. Full-year net sales were $81.6 million, up 81% year-over-year.

“Our alternative energy business contributed 60% of our system sales in the fourth quarter. This marks the first time that our alternative energy – solar and nuclear – business exceeded our electronics assembly business to become the primary contributor of net sales. The growth of our solar business was driven by both our inline diffusion and metallization products,” said Paul J. van der Wansem, BTU chairman and CEO.

The firm expects first-quarter revenues to be in the $24 million to $26 million range because of a softer electronics business.

BTU supplies advanced thermal processing equipment and processes to the alternative energy and electronics manufacturing markets.

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