ROGERS, CT -- Rogers Corp. said its Printed Circuit Materials division had first quarter net sales of $71.3 million, up 21.8% over last year mainly due to the acquisition of Arlon.

On a currency adjusted basis, organic sales grew 5.2% from the same quarter last year. Currency exchange rates unfavorably impacted sales by about $800,000, the firm added.

The acquisition of Arlon, which closed in January, added $10.5 million to Rogers' quarterly revenue. Growth was also driven by higher demand for high-frequency circuit materials going into wireless infrastructure, automotive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, and aerospace and defense applications, partially offset by lower demand for mobile internet device wireless antenna applications due to higher-than-expected inventory levels in the supply chain.

For the quarter, overall net sales were $165.1 million, up 12.6% year-over-year. On a currency adjusted basis, organic sales grew 3.2% from the same quarter of the prior year. Currency rate fluctuations unfavorably impacted organic sales by $6.5 million, or 4.3%. Arlon contributed 13.8% of the increase in net sales for the quarter.

In a statement, CEO and president Bruce D. Hoechner said, “Rogers achieved its ninth consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue growth, and set another sales record in the first quarter of 2015. In addition, we continued our journey of improved margin performance as a result of our strategic focus on operational excellence. The Arlon acquisition closed early in the quarter and was able to make a strong contribution to both the top and bottom line. Overall, our results were tempered by what we believe is temporary weaker demand in some of our markets, as well as the unfavorable impact of currency exchange rates.

Rogers projects second quarter net sales of $175 million to $185 million. 

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