BINGHAMTON, NY -- Universal Instruments today said its global market share rose nearly 2% year-over- year in the fourth quarter.

The SMT pick-and-place machine manufacturer said it acquired more than 80 new customers in 2011, including 30 in Tiers 2 and 3.

CFO Keith O’Leary comments, “For the third consecutive year, Universal maintained a strong cash position and our fourth-quarter market share gains portend the success of 2012.

"Our wins spanned a diverse variety of companies, some of which are being challenged as they expand beyond their traditional competencies."

“This year’s momentum was bolstered by emerging and evolving markets," UIC CEO and president Jean-Luc Pelissier said. "We recognized that there was a significant industry transition at-hand and were focused on understanding new markets such as concentrated photovoltaic (solar), solid-state lighting and power conversion and delivering the best comprehensive solutions for them.

Universal hopes to benefit from the move toward “greener” technologies. Lighting accounts for roughly 22% of US electricity consumption, the company said, noting mandated phase-outs of incandescent bulbs have fueled an LED lighting market forecast of $3 billion in 2012 and $8 billion by 2015. Similar opportunities are seen in automotive, the component placement OEM added.

"Versatility is an important distinction for green production built around multiple-technology applications and a powerful enabler for Universal’s success in these new environments."

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