ROGERS, CT -- Rogers Corp. last night announced first-quarter net income more than doubled from a year ago to $14.6 million. Overall sales reached $146.6 million, up 16.3%, setting a record for the period.

Net sales and net income from continuing operations exceeded company’s guidance from February.

The company's Printed Circuit Materials unit reported all-time record net sales of $58.5 million for the quarter, up 34.4% from 2013 on demand for high-frequency materials for wireless base station and antenna applications in connection with the global 4G/LTE infrastructure build-out, especially in China. All major market segments showed solid increases versus the first quarter of 2013, including automotive radar applications for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), high reliability materials for use in aerospace and defense systems, and satellite TV applications, Rogers said.

Gross margin improved to 36.8%, up 400 basis points on increased sales volume, the positive impact of streamlining actions taken over the last two years and improved absorption and mix. Operating margin was 14.6%, up from 8.6% a year ago.

CEO and president Bruce D. Hoechner guided for second quarter net sales of $143 million to $148 million, saying, "We believe we will see a continuation of robust market conditions into the second quarter of 2014."

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