Laser Markets Rebound Strongly in 2010

NASHUA, N.H., Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The global market for lasers will reach an estimated $6.4 billion in sales in 2010, more or less erasing the effects of the 2008/2009 economic downturn in this marketplace. This figure includes all types of lasers for use in applications as varied as metal cutting and welding, vision correction, fiber-optic communications, and Blu-ray players.

Based, among other things, on recent strong sales trends from industry-leading laser manufacturers including Rofin-Sinar, Coherent, JDS Uniphase, and Newport Corp., 2010 is projected to close with global laser revenues up by 27% compared to 2009. This upturn is expected to continue into 2011 as the industry consolidates its gains and rebounds from the upheaval of the 2008/2009 recession.

These findings are based on the Laser Focus World annual review and forecast of the laser marketplace, to be presented at the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar in San Francisco, CA on January 24, 2011 (see www.marketplaceseminar.com).

"There are several undercurrents in the market this year," said Dr. Tom Hausken, analyst at Strategies Unlimited (www.strategies-u.com) who conducted the laser market review and forecast. "Chinese customers were very important to the recovery in 2010. The rebound in fab tools for semiconductors was unprecedented, following a decline that started as early as 2007 and helped by interest in new consumer products."

Hausken adds, "And in many cases, companies chose to invest this year in laser-based capital equipment that will improve productivity instead of new hiring--a symptom of a jobless recovery."

Looking forward, most manufacturers report extremely poor visibility into 2011. However, current trends in many end-user markets--such as laser-based manufacturing, the life sciences, and consumer products--seem set to drive year-on-year revenue growth well into double-digits in 2011. A detailed discussion of these trends and the outlook for 2011 will be presented January 24, 2011 at the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar in San Francisco, CA.

About the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar: Held in conjunction with SPIE's Photonics West, the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar is a one-day event that analyzes the business of photonics. Now in its 23rd year, the annual seminar provides photonics industry decision makers and stakeholders with market information and analysis, a look at emerging opportunities, and a forum for networking. The seminar provides a comprehensive market perspective that is unobtainable elsewhere, with market data segmented by applications and laser technology from three of the photonics industry's leading resources: Laser Focus World, which delivers global coverage of the entire photonics industry; Industrial Laser Solutions, a primary source of information on industrial laser materials processing; and Strategies Unlimited, a market research unit of PennWell and the world's foremost photonics market research company. In addition, industry experts present their views and analysis of photonics-market trends, applications development, and business outlook. Visit www.marketplaceseminar.com for more information.

About Laser Focus World: A resource for engineers, researchers, scientists, and technical professionals Laser Focus World provides comprehensive global coverage of optoelectronics and photonics technologies, applications, and markets. Laser Focus World has conducted its annual market survey of suppliers, customers, and leading analysts of the global laser market for more than 30 years. —see www.laserfocusworld.com.

About Strategies Unlimited: Founded in 1979, with headquarters in the heart of Silicon Valley, Strategies Unlimited is the world leader in market research in photonic devices and beyond, producing highly detailed market reports based on extensive data collection and analysis carried out on both the supply side and demand side of the market. On a custom basis, Strategies Unlimited performs specialized studies and consulting on narrow or focused topics related to the specific business interests of individual corporations. Strategies Unlimited analysts regularly give presentations at industry events and are often quoted in the business media—see www.strategies-u.com.

SOURCE Laser Focus World