BGF Industries Year End 2001 Earnings
28 March 2002
28 March 2002
BGF Industries’ net sales for the year ended December 31, 2001 decreased $54.6 million, or 27.1%, to $146.8 million as compared to $201.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2000.
This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in sales of electronics fabrics and sales of filtration fabrics. The decrease in sales of electronics fabrics was primarily a result of significant inventory adjustments in the electronics industry that began during the first quarter of 2001. In addition, the decrease in capital spending in the information technology and telecommunications industry led fabricators of printed circuit boards to reduce production which negatively impacted our sales to these customers.
The decrease in sales of filtration fabrics was due to fewer large utility projects that have replaced filter bags as well as a downturn in the steel and foundry industries. Their second largest market, fabrics used in composite materials, held up well prior to September 11, 2001. They now expect to confront a decline in orders from customers in the aerospace industry due to uncertainty over airline traffic recovery. It is unknown if this decrease will be fully or partially offset by the market for refurbishing existing aircraft or increased purchases by the military.
BGF, headquartered in Greensboro, NC, manufactures specialty woven and non-woven fabrics made from glass, carbon and aramid yarns for use in a variety of electronic, filtration, composite, insulation, construction, and commercial products.
Renegade Materials recently celebrated General Electric’s first shipment of a GE Passport Engine shipset built with the company’s RM-1100 polyimide high-service temperature composite prepregs.
Cobra International has started mass production of the new Windsurfer LT board.
New Zealand company Revolution Fibres is tripling nanofibre production to meet increased international demand from a range of industries, from cosmetics manufacturers through to Formula One teams.