Basler sees 3Q camera sales increase

Global digital camera manufacturer Basler (Ahrensburg, Germany) has reported its third quarter 2010 earning and guidance, saying that 3Q10 "went better than expected." According to preliminary figures, sales and pre-tax earnings were significantly above 2009 levels and beyond the board's expectations.

Basler reports group sales for the first three quarters of 2010 totaled €38 million, exceeding the 2009 level of €24 million by 58%. Earnings before taxes (EBT) for the group amounted to €3.8 million, up €11.6 million compared the previous year's results.

The digital camera business segment, says the industrial camera manufacturer, in particular is driving this growth. In the first three quarters, camera sales increased by 85% to €29.8 million (€16.1 million in the previous period). Incoming orders were at €33.6 million compared to €18.7 million in 2009 (+79.7%). The preliminary segment result is +€6.5 million.

Basler says that digital cameras with a Gigabit Ethernet interface (GigE Vision) are the growth driver in the company's product portfolio. After a difficult 2009 year in which sales of GigE cameras still saw a two-digit increase, sales are expected to nearly double in 2010. For the first time, GigE cameras will have the highest share of total turnover compared to other interface technologies. The company plans to continue expanding its role in the GigE camera segment.

Assuming continued market development, Basler says it will again increase its guidance for the 2010 fiscal year. The company anticipates that group sales will grow to a level between €46-€48 million (previous guidance: €43-€45 million; 2009 sales: €33.7 million) at an EBT of no less than €4.1 million (previous guidance: >€3.5 million; 2009 EBT: €-8.0 million).

The 3Q10 financial report will be published on Nov. 16, 2010.

Source: Basler Vision Technologies

-- Posted by Carrie Meadows, Vision Systems Design