Higher SMT Solder Demand Boosts Alent's Revenues
LONDON -- Alent, the former Cookson Performance Materials, reported 2012 sales were flat versus a year ago, once currency fluctuations are accounted for.
The semiconductor and printed circuit board materials developer reported sales of £416.7 million ($633.4 million), down 3.8% from 2011, inclusive of currency changes. Not including taxes and one-time charges, mostly related to its demerger from Cookson, Alent reported adjusted profts of £89 million and operating profits of 97.2 million.
Revenue was split evenly between the Alpha assembly materials and Enthone printed circuit board finishes business units. Alpha was more profitable, however, at £58.7 million, up 9.3% year-over-year, on higher demand for smartphones and tablets, versus £46 million for Enthone, down 4.6%.
Wave solders fell 8.9% to £57.2 million, while surface mount pastes were up 3.4% to £94.8 million. Enthone's printed circuit board chemistry revenues were down 4.3% to £100.8 million.
Alent plans to bring plants in Shanghai and Chennai online in 2013.
Alent was formed Dec. 19 as result of a demerger from Cookson.
