NORTH BILLERICA, MA — BTU International reported a third-quarter net loss of $2 million, due in part to restructuring charges of $352,000.

For the period ended on Oct. 2, net sales were flat year-over-year and down 11% sequentially to $19 million.

The maker of reflow processing and solar diffusion equipment had net profits were basically breakeven in the preceding quarter, and compared to breakeven in the third quarter of 2010.

Net sales year-to-date were $61.3 million, up from $54.2 million in 2010. Cumulative net losses are $200,000, down from a net loss of $100,000 in 2010.

Chairman and chief executive Paul J. van der Wansem said, “Our quarter was clearly affected by the slowdown in the solar industry that has impacted all equipment suppliers. As a result, we took the difficult step of reducing our permanent and contract staff, primarily in the United States, from June 2011 levels. Sales reflected solid contributions from our electronics business which delivered the majority of our major systems revenue for the third quarter.

“The worldwide slowdown in the solar marketplace has impacted our outlook for the year with our near-term revenue now expected to be weighted toward our electronics products."

BTU guided for fourth-quarter revenue of $15 million to $16 million range with somewhat lower gross margins than the previous quarter due to under absorption of overhead.

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