MAJOR PV MAKER QUITS THIN FILM

Applied Materials To Restructure Solar Business
Melissa Korn (w/Tess Stynes), July 21, 2010 (Wall Street Journal)

"Applied Materials Inc…plans to restructure its energy and environmental business, a move expected to cost up to $425 million and affect 500 jobs, as the company shifts…back to profitability in fiscal 2011.

"The restructuring is an admission that Applied Materials' previous effort to focus on cheaper but less efficient thin-film solar panel products was misplaced. Instead…it will focus on crystalline silicon solar and advanced energy, including light emitting diode technology…"

click to enlarge

"Applied Materials, whose traditional business is focused on making tools used by semiconductor manufacturers, entered thin-film solar panels in an attempt to take share away from devoted crystalline silicon panel makers. The business suffered mightily, though, as silicon costs plummeted and Applied Materials' core customer base of start-up companies needing full-service assistance dried up in the economic downturn…[T]here are other successful thin-film solar companies, such as First Solar Inc..."

click to enlarge

"Applied Materials, which recently had about 13,000 employees globally, plans to discontinue sales to new customers for some thin-film solar panel equipment. It also intends to sell its low-emissivity architectural-glass coatings line…[and] while continuing development in emerging technologies in "smart" electrochromic glass…

"[T]he company now believes the Energy and Environmental Solutions unit's break-even point will be at or slightly below $700 million, with the company planning to cut annual operating expenses by $100 million over the next three quarters…Applied Materials will book restructuring-related charges of $375 million to $425 million, or 18 cents to 21 cents a share, including 14 cents a share in the fiscal third quarter ended June 30…"