Jenoptik raises 2012 sales outlook, eyes international growth

After brisk business in the year's opening quarter extended into 2Q, optoelectronics company Jenoptik now projects full-year sales at the upper end of a previous forecast range of 4%-8%, totaling some €45-50 million (vs. €40-45 million in previous estimates).

After seeing business pick up in 1Q12 and continue in April and May, the company also expects improved longer-term growth "extending over market cycles," setting targets of approximately 10% sales growth and around 9%-10% average EBIT margins (earnings before interest and taxes). That growth will primarily organically driven, due to what the company says is currently a "difficult environment for sound acquisitions."

Jenoptik is also setting specific targets on its international businesses, aiming to double its share of sales in North America and Asia together to around 40% of group sales "over the medium to long term." Higher than average growth is being seen in technology markets in those regions, both through new customers and expanding business with existing customers. The company also expects to strengthen its purchasing activities, including pursuing local manufacturing of entire components, to crease and expand international "value-added structures."

To that end, Jenoptik separately has announced an expansion into South America with a newly formed Industrial Metrology division in Brazil. The facility in São Paolo's São Bernardo industrial zone, initially employing five workers and available to all the group's divisions, will establish a presence in what the company calls a "key location of the global automotive industry." The entire Americas region accounted for nearly €74 million in 2011 sales, according to Jenoptik. In May of this year the company opened an office in Singapore.