NORTH BILLERICA, MA -- BTU today announced second-quarter net sales rose 40.7% from a year ago to $16.4 million on higher electronics process equipment sales.

For the period ended June 29, sales were up 15.4% sequentially, the maker of SMT reflow equipment said.

Net income for the quarter was $600,000, compared to a net loss of $1.8 million last year.

In a press release, BTU chairman and CEO Paul J. van der Wansem said, "We are pleased with the strong showing of our electronics equipment business. This, combined with extra strength in our margins due to a favorable product mix and expense reductions, allowed us to get to the first profitable quarter since the sharp decline of the solar business."

BTU guided for third-quarter revenues of $14.5 million to $15.5 million range based upon continued strength in orders for electronics assembly equipment.

"We booked a few technology solar orders, primarily for pilot line production, in anticipation of an expected return of capital spending for solar cell production in 2015," said van der Wansem. "Our gross margins in the US will still be affected by factory under absorption in contrast to full absorption in our China factory."