10-K 1 c51439_10k.htm c51439_10k.htm -- Converted by SEC Publisher, created by BCL Technologies Inc., for SEC Filing

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x     ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007

o      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                to               

Commission file number: 000-21377

ROFIN-SINAR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware   38-3306461
(State of other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
 
40984 Concept Drive, Plymouth, MI   48170
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (734) 455-5400

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
 
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per Share   The NASDAQ Global Select Market
Rights Associated with Common Stock, par value    
$0.01 per Share    

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:   NONE

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.       Yes  o      No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.       Yes  o      No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.       Yes  x      No  o


Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  x           Accelerated filer   o           Non-accelerated filer   o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).       Yes  o      No  x

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant based upon the closing price of the common stock on March 30, 2007 (the last business day of the most recently completed second fiscal quarter) as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market was approximately $909,208,971. For the purposes hereof, “affiliates” include all executive officers and directors of the registrant.

15,457,400 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding as of November 26, 2007.

Certain sections of the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Company’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in March 2008 are incorporated by reference herein at Part III, Items 10-14.

 

 

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ROFIN-SINAR TECHNOLOGIES INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

        Page
PART I        
                 ITEM 1.   BUSINESS   4

 

                 ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS   21

 

                 ITEM 1B.   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS   25

 

                 ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES   26

 

                 ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS   27

 

                 ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS   27
 
PART II        

 

                 ITEM 5.   MARKET PRICE FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED    
    STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY    
    SECURITIES   27

 

                 ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA   29

 

                 ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL    
    CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS   30

 

                 ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET    
    RISK   37

 

                 ITEM 8.   CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY    
    DATA   38

 

                 ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON    
    ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE   38

 

                 ITEM 9A.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES   38

 

                 ITEM 9B.   OTHER INFORMATION   40
 
PART III        

 

                 ITEM 10.   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE    
    GOVERNANCE   40

 

                 ITEM 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION   40

 

                 ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND    
    MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS   41

 

                 ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND    
    DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE   41

 

                 ITEM 14.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES   42
 
PART IV        

 

                 ITEM 15.   EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES   43

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PART I

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”). Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and can be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “believe”, “will”, “expect”, “project”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “plan” or “continue”. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of our management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect our current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition.

These factors include (among others):

  • downturns in the machine tool, automotive, semiconductor and electronics industries which may have, in the future, a material adverse effect on sales and profitability of the Company;

  • the ability of the Company’s OEM-customers to incorporate its laser products into their systems;

  • the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, which may be significant because a substantial portion of the Company’s operations is located overseas;

  • the level of competition and the ability of the Company to compete in the markets for its products;

  • the Company’s ability to develop new and enhanced products to meet market demand or to adequately utilize its existing technology;

  • third party infringement of the Company’s proprietary technology or third party claims against the Company for the infringement or misappropriation of their proprietary rights;

  • competing technologies that are similar to or that serve the same uses as the Company’s technology;

  • the scope of patent protection that the Company is able to obtain or maintain;

  • the Company’s ability to efficiently manage the risks associated with its international operations; and

  • the other risks described under “ITEM 1A - Risk Factors”.

In making these forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe-harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Reform Act. We do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking statements.

ITEM 1.      BUSINESS

COMPANY OVERVIEW AND HISTORY

Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. was incorporated in 1996 under the laws of the State of Delaware and is a NASDAQ listed Company. We are a leader in the design, development, engineering, manufacturing and marketing of laser-based products, primarily used for cutting, welding and marking a wide range of materials. In this report, the terms “Company”, “Rofin”, “RSTI”, “we”, “us”, and “our” mean Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc, and all entities included in our consolidated financial statements

Lasers are a non-contact technology for material processing, which have several advantages compared to conventional manufacturing tools that are desirable in industrial applications. The Company’s lasers all deliver a high-quality beam at guaranteed power outputs and feature compact design, high processing speed, flexibility, low operating and maintenance costs and easy integration into the customer’s production process. As a technological leader in CO2, solid-state lasers and diode lasers, the Company is able to meet a broad range of its customers’ material processing requirements.

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Based on the Optoelectronics Report, projected 2007 industry data for laser products used for macro (cutting and welding) applications and marking and micro (fine cutting, fine welding, and perforating) applications combined, the Company believes it has a worldwide market share (based on sales volume) of approximately 22% and that it is among the largest suppliers of laser products used for marking applications worldwide. The Company has sold more than 43,000 laser sources since 1975 and currently has over 3,000 active customers (including multinational companies with multiple facilities purchasing from the Company). During fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005, approximately 43%, 41%, and 43%, respectively, of the Company’s revenues related to sales of laser products for macro applications, approximately 9%, 8%, and 7% respectively, related to sales of components, and approximately 48%, 51%, and 50%, respectively, related to sales of laser products for marking and micro applications.

Through its global manufacturing, distribution and service network, the Company provides a comprehensive range of laser sources and laser-based system solutions to three principal target markets: the machine tool, automotive, and the semiconductor and electronics industries. The Company sells directly to end-users and to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) (principally in the machine tool industry) that integrate Rofin’s laser sources with other system components. Many of Rofin’s customers are among the largest global participants in their respective industries. During fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005, 23%, 30%, and 29%, respectively, of the Company’s sales were in North America, 55%, 48%, and 54%, respectively, were in Europe and 22%, 22%, and 17%, respectively, were in Asia. See Note 13, “Geographic Information”, to the consolidated financial statements for further information.

On March 23, 2006, the Company acquired 40% of the share capital of H2B Photonics GmbH, Garbsen (Germany) through its wholly-owned subsidiary Carl Baasel Lasertechnik GmbH & Co. KG. H2B Photonics GmbH specializes in the development, manufacturing and sales of laser-based systems used to cut brittle materials, such as glass, to produce perfectly cut edges. Effective May 14, 2007, the Company purchased an additional 45% of H2B Photonics GmbH through its wholly-owned subsidiary Carl Baasel Lasertechnik GmbH & Co.KG. The Company currently holds 85% of the share capital of H2B Photonics GmbH. This purchase resulted in goodwill of $0.1 million.

On December 2, 2006, the Company purchased an additional 1% of the share capital of Rofin-Sinar U.K. Ltd. through Rofin-Sinar Technologies Europe S.L. under an option agreement between the Company and the former minority shareholders. The Company currently holds 81% of the share capital of Rofin-Sinar U.K. Ltd.. This purchase resulted in goodwill of $0.2 million.

Effective February 28, 2007, the Company acquired 80% of the common stock of m2k-laser GmbH, Freiburg (Germany), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH. m2k-laser GmbH develops and manufactures semiconductor lasers based on the III-V compounds GaAs and GaSb for use predominantly in the scientific industry. The same components can also be used for pumping solid state lasers, which are used for material processing. Additionally the parties have agreed on a put/call option exercisable beginning in 2012 for the remaining 20% of the common stock. Accordingly, the Company’s financial statements present m2k-laser GmbH as if it was 100%-owned. This purchase resulted in goodwill of approximately $0.6 million.

Effective March 28, 2007, the Company acquired 100% of the common stock of Corelase Oy, Tampere (Finland). Corelase Oy has considerable experience in semiconductors, optics, and fiber technology. Its product lines include fiber-coupled diode laser systems, continuous-wave and ultra short pulse mode-locked fiber laser systems, and components such as diode lasers for a wide range of material processing applications. The terms of the purchase include payment of deferred purchase price based on Corelase Oy achieving certain financial targets. This purchase resulted in goodwill of approximately $6.9 million.

Effective April 05, 2007, the Company acquired 100% of the common stock of ES Technology Ltd., Oxford, (UK), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Rofin-Baasel UK Ltd. ES Technology Ltd. develops customized laser marking system solutions based on various laser technologies and distributes a number of optical devices and components into Northern European territories from several American suppliers via its subsidiary, Laser Service (Oxford) Ltd. This purchase resulted in goodwill of approximately $0.7 million.

The Board of Directors approved a 2-for-1 stock split and a stock buyback plan. The stock split will be in the form of a dividend of one share of Common Stock on each outstanding share and the distribution date will be December 5, 2007, for shareholders of record as of November 22, 2007. The buyback program authorizes the repurchase of up to $120 million of the Company’s Common Stock, or approximately 10% of the shares of

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Common Stock currently outstanding based on current market prices. The share buyback program is authorized to begin November 15, 2007. The shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion, including the quantity, timing and price thereof.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

The Company’s business strategy is to maximize shareholder value by (i) strengthening its position as a leading supplier to the global market for macro (cutting and welding) applications; (ii) capitalizing on its leadership position in marking applications; (iii) extending its position in micro (fine cutting, fine welding and perforating) applications; (iv) cross-selling its various laser products to its existing large customer base; (v) enlarging its market coverage geographically and by developing new applications, and (vi) strengthening its product portfolio and customer base through acquisitions.

The Company believes that the major sources of its future growth will be the following:

  • Developing New Laser Products through Technological Innovation: Product innovation in response to evolving customer needs for increased output power, greater penetration and higher processing speeds is a key component of the Company’s strategy. The Company is currently focusing its research and development activity on expanding the output power range of its CO2 , diffusion cooled, wave-guide Slab lasers and enhancing the performance of its line of high power, fast-flow CO2 lasers. The Company is also expanding its series of end and side pumped, solid-state lasers for marking and micro applications. In addition, the Company is actively engaged in the research and development of its high- power fiber laser to further expand its solid-state laser range for macro applications.

  • Focusing on Cross-Selling to Existing Customers in Target Markets: The Company intends to continue to focus its sales and marketing activities on its traditional target markets (the machine tool, automotive, semiconductor and electronics industries) as well as those markets it has entered more recently (the medical device and photovoltaic industries). The Company has targeted and will continue to target these industries because they use advanced manufacturing processes that require continuing investments to improve production efficiency and because the Company has significant market presence in these sectors.. To exploit its opportunities by developing new applications for existing laser technologies, the Company is further exploring the potential for use of high-power CO2 lasers in car body assembly by using its Remote Welding System in response to the interest shown by sub suppliers to car manufacturers in reducing their reliance on spot-welding guns. In addition, building on the success of its laser marking of small integrated circuits, the Company intends to develop new applications, such as fine welding and micro soldering for the semiconductor and electronics industry. In the packaging industry, the Company is seeking new opportunities for foil perforation based on its extensive knowledge of paper perforation with lasers. In the photovoltaic industry the Company intends to further exploit structuring applications for its macro and micro laser products.

  • Capitalizing on Global Presence to Attract New Customers: The Company intends to capitalize on its customer base and the presence of its manufacturing, sales and service operations in the three principal geographic markets in which its customers operate (North America, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region) to increase market share in its existing industrial and geographic markets. The Company believes its global manufacturing, distribution and service network allows it to be more responsive to customers’ needs and positions it to expand into additional promising markets which offer high long-term potential for growth.

  • Offering Customized Solutions based on Standard Platforms: While the Company offers a wide range of laser applications and develops customized solutions for its customers, these applications and solutions are built on a focused number of product families comprised of standardized laser sources. For example, for its OEM-customers in the machine tool industry, the Company provides customized power supply packaging services. For its marking customers, the Company combines its standard laser marker with customized parts handling and software. For its micro applications customers, the Company delivers its standard laser sources in different customized packages. The Company believes that this product strategy has contributed to increases in product sales and intends to continue offering focused customization services and pursuing its initiatives to standardize its core products so as to lower its production costs and continue to improve its profitability.

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  • Acquiring Complementary Business Operations or Products: Since 1997 the Company has successfully completed and integrated eleven acquisitions, including its acquisitions of Dilas (1997), assets of Palomar Technologies UK Ltd. (1998), Rasant-Alcotec Beschichtungstechnik GmbH (1999), Baasel Lasertech (2000), Z-Laser S.A. (2001), Optoskand AB (2004), PRC Laser Corporation and Lee Laser, Inc. (2004), H2B Photonics GmbH (2006 and 2007), ES Technologies Ltd. (2007), Corelase Oy (2007) and m2k-laser GmbH (2007). Management believes that, collectively, these acquisitions have advanced the Company’s worldwide expansion, consolidated the Company’s position in the industrial laser material processing market and contributed to the Company’s financial performance during the last several years. The Company will continue to seek opportunities to make value-based acquisitions that complement its business operations, broaden its product offerings or provide access to new geographical markets.

THE INDUSTRIAL LASER MARKET FOR MATERIAL PROCESSING

Over the past 30 years, lasers have revolutionized industrial manufacturing and have been used increasingly to provide reliable, flexible, non-contact, compact and high-speed alternatives to conventional technologies for processing various kinds of metal and non-metal materials in a broad range of advanced manufacturing applications. The industrial laser market is generally considered to be made up of laser sources sold for industrial applications including material processing, medical therapeutic, instrumentation, research, telecommunications, optical storage, entertainment, image recording, inspection, measurement and control, bar-code scanning and other end-uses.

LASER TECHNOLOGY

The term “laser” is an acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation”. Lasers were first developed in the early 1960s in the United States. A laser consists of an active lasing medium that gives off its own light (radiation) when excited, an optical resonator with a partially-reflective output mirror at one end, a fully-reflective rear mirror at the other that permits the light to bounce back and forth between the mirrors through the lasing medium, and an external energy source used to excite the lasing medium. A laser works by causing the energy source to excite (pump) the lasing medium, which converts the energy from the source into an emission consisting of particles of light (photons). These photons stimulate the release of more photons, as they are reflected between the two mirrors, which form the resonator. The resulting build-up in the number of photons is emitted in the form of a laser beam through an output port or “window”. By changing the energy and the lasing medium, different wavelengths and types of laser light can be produced. The laser produces light from the lasing medium to achieve the desired intensity, uniformity and wavelength through a series of reflective mirrors. The heat generated by the excitation of the lasing medium is dissipated through a cooling mechanism, which varies according to the type of laser technology.

Lasers are used for material processing because of the excellent focusability of laser beams. When focused through lenses and mirrors, the energy density in the focus spot is so high that metals and other materials can be melted and vaporized. The principal factors that distinguish different types of lasers and determine the particular laser suitable for a specific application are pulse duration, wavelength, output power, spatial coherence and cost per watt of laser power.

The three principal types of laser technologies currently used for material processing are CO2 lasers, solid-state lasers and diode lasers.

CO2 lasers, which use CO2 gas as the lasing medium, are divided into high-power (above 500 watts) and low-power (below 500 watts) applications. There are two methods for CO2 excitation, radio frequency (“RF” or “HF”) and direct current (“DC”) excitation. Most high-power CO2 lasers are based on gas flow, in which a continuous supply of fresh laser gas flows through the laser cavity to create the energy necessary for excitation. Due to their ability to generate comparatively high levels of continuous-wave (“CW”) power, CO2 lasers are a particularly attractive laser medium for material processing applications. Material processing applications for CO2 laser sources vary according to the power output and configuration of the laser system. The primary applications for high-power CO2 lasers are cutting and welding of metal. Low-power CO2 lasers are used principally for marking, cutting and engraving of non-metal materials. While both low- and high-power CO2 lasers are used for cutting, the materials they are used to process and their physical size can vary significantly.

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Solid-state lasers use flash lamps or laser diodes as source of excitation and are referred to as “flash-lamp- pumped” or “diode-pumped” lasers. The lasing medium is a solid-state crystal, generally in the form of a rod or a disc. Widely used crystal rod material is either Neodymium Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Nd:YAG) or Neodymium Vanadate (Nd:YVO4). The rod is positioned in a cavity, which is either a gold or ceramic reflector, and pumped using flash lamps or laser diodes from the side, or alternatively the rod is pumped from its ends with laser diodes. Typical output powers vary from 3 to 1,000 watts from a single rod and output powers up to 8,000 watts can be achieved by combining several cavities within a resonator. In the “disc design” the lasing medium is a thin crystal (typically Ytterbium:YAG) disc, which is excited by laser diodes in an optical multipass configuration. By using multiple thin disc laser heads within one resonator, several kilowatts of power can be generated. Fiber lasers use semiconductor diodes as the light source to pump specialty optical fibers, which are infused with rare earth ions. These fibers are called active fibers and are comparable in diameter to a human hair. The laser emission is created within optical fibers and delivered through a flexible cable.

Diode Lasers or laser diodes are based on special semiconductor structures on a Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) die to generate laser light. A typical 10 mm long laser diode bar contains approximately 25 single laser emitters. When mounted on a specially designed, highly-efficient heat sink, a laser diode bar is able to produce up to 100 watts of laser output power. A single high-power laser diode module consists of: (1) a semiconductor laser diode wafer bar; (2) a high efficient heat sink , on which the laser bar is mounted; and optional (3) a micro-lens system, which is mounted in front of the laser bar to collimate or focus the light. Optical output power can be increased by combining the beamlets of several laser diode modules on top of each other. Through optical combination of such stacks, output powers in the kilowatt range can be achieved. Diode lasers typically have larger spot diameters when focused, and are typically used for surface treatment, soldering and plastic welding.

THE COMPANY’S LASER PRODUCTS

The Company distinguishes itself from the majority of its competitors who specialize in only one or two of the three principal laser technologies for material processing by offering its customers CO2, solid-state and diode laser sources and solutions in a variety of configurations and options. As a technological leader in CO2 lasers, solid-state and diode lasers, the Company is able to meet a broad range of its customers’ cutting, welding, and marking requirements. The Company’s lasers all deliver a high-quality beam at guaranteed power outputs and feature compact design, high processing speed, flexibility, low operating and maintenance costs, and easy integration into the customer’s production process. The Company’s engineers and other technical experts work directly with the customer in the Company’s applications centers to develop and customize the optimal solution for the customer’s manufacturing requirements.

The Company currently offers a comprehensive range of laser products and related services for three principal material processing applications:

  • Cutting, welding, and surface treatment (macro applications);

  • marking; and

  • fine cutting, fine welding, and micro structuring (micro applications).

Besides offering laser systems for some specialized niche applications, the Company works directly with its customers to develop and customize optimal solutions for their unique manufacturing requirements. In developing its laser-based solutions, the Company offers customers its expertise in:

  • product development and manufacturing services based on more than 30 years of laser technology experience and applications know-how;

  • application and process development, which means developing new laser-based applications for manufacturing customers and assisting them in integrating lasers into their production processes;

  • system engineering, which means advising customers on machine design, including tooling, automation and controls for customers in need of “turn-key” solutions; and

  • extensive after-sales support of its laser products, including technical support, field service, maintenance and training programs, and rapid spare parts delivery.

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The following table sets forth the Company’s net sales of laser products used for macro applications and of laser products used for marking and micro applications in fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005:

      September 30,
Product Category*     2007     2006     2005
            (in thousands)      
 
Laser macro products   $ 205,772   $ 172,959   $ 161,536
Laser marking and micro products     231,920     213,632     185,950
Components     41,983     34,299     27,705
 
    $ 479,675   $ 420,890   $ 375,191

 
*

For each laser product category, net sales include sales of service (including training, maintenance and repair) and spare parts.

 

The laser sources sold by the Company consist of a laser head (containing the lasing medium, resonator, source of excitation, resonator mirrors and cooling mechanism), power supply, and microcontroller (for control and monitoring). For a more detailed discussion of the components of a laser source, see “Laser Technology”. Products are offered in different configurations and utilize different design principles according to the desired application.

The following table sets forth the Company’s product categories by principal markets and principal applications:

PRODUCT CATEGORY   PRINCIPAL MARKETS   PRINCIPAL APPLICATIONS
Laser macro products   Machine tool   Cutting and welding of metals
         
    Automotive   Cutting and welding of metals
         
Laser marking products   Semiconductor and electronics   Marking of integrated circuits,
        electronic components, smart cards
         
    Automotive   Marking of labels and car
        components
         
Laser micro products   Medical devices, semiconductor and   Spot welding, fine cutting, micro
    electronics, photovoltaic, dental and   structuring
    jewelry,    
         
    Packaging and paper industry   Perforating of cigarette tip paper and
        plastic foils

LASER MACRO PRODUCTS

The Company’s business strategy for its macro laser business is to grow its revenues by:

  • increasing its market share in its existing CO2 laser market through increased sales of its low- and high- power, diffusion cooled, wave guide Slab lasers;

  • developing diffusion-cooled Slab lasers with higher output power to achieve higher welding depths and faster speeds and thereby widen their potential usage;

  • further developing the Remote Welding, Tube Welding, Profile Welding, and Scanner Welding System concepts;

  • continuing ongoing research and product engineering for its solid-state laser series, including the high- power fiber laser, to further penetrate the market and to further increase the output power for specific applications.

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The Company’s family of CO2 laser products for macro applications, and their principal markets and applications, are discussed below.

        MODE OF   PRINCIPAL    
LASER SERIES   POWER RANGE   EXCITATION   MARKETS   APPLICATIONS
DC Slab Series   1.0 kW - 8.0 kW   High Frequency   Machine tool   Cutting and welding
            Automotive    
SC Series   100 W - 600 W   High Frequency   Machine tool   Cutting and
            Automotive   structuring
            Packaging    
XL Series   1.0 kW - 1.5 kW   Direct Current   Machine tool   Cutting and welding
STS Series   2.0 kW - 5.0 kW   Direct Current   Machine tool   Cutting and welding
FH Series   6.0 kW - 8.0 kW   Direct Current   Machine tool   Cutting and welding
HF Series   4.0 kW – 8.0 kW   High Frequency   Automotive   Welding

The Company believes that it is the only laser manufacturer of diffusion cooled, Slab-based lasers in the high-power range. In the DC Slab Series laser design, a radio-frequency excited gas discharge occurs between two water-cooled electrodes that have a large surface area that permits maximum heat dissipation. The core diffusion cooled, wave-guide technology is protected by three patents, two of them expire in 2008 and one expires in 2010, and the Company has exclusive license rights to this technology on a worldwide basis for power levels above 500 watts for material processing applications. Principal markets for the Slab Series lasers are the machine tool and automotive industries.

The Company’s XL, STS, and FH Series fast-axial flow CO2 lasers are used for both cutting and welding applications and are marketed under the PRC brand. In the fast-axial flow principle, the gas discharge occurs in a tube in the same direction as the resonator, through which the laser gas mixture flows at a high speed. XL, STS, and FH Series products are used primarily by the machine tool industry.

The Company’s SC Series diffusion cooled, wave-guide CO2 lasers are developed and produced by Rofin-Sinar UK Ltd.. The SC Series are sealed-off lasers, which are also based on the Slab laser principle used for the DC Slab Series. These lasers are used mainly for cutting and structuring applications. Principal markets are the machine tool, automotive and packaging industries.

The Company’s HF Series lasers combine proven cross-flow design principles with modern high-frequency discharge excitation technology. The Company ships this product predominantly to customers in the automotive industry, and their sub-suppliers, in the United States where it has been used in a significant number of welding applications, including transmissions, tailored blanks, steel tubes and many other car parts and components.

The Company’s family of solid-state laser products for macro applications, and their principal markets, are discussed below.

        MODE OF   PRINCIPAL    
LASER SERIES   POWER RANGE   EXCITATION   MARKETS   APPLICATIONS
DP Series   1.0 kW - 4.0 kW   Laser diodes   Automotive   Cutting and welding
DS Series   1.0 kW - 3.0 kW   Laser diodes   Automotive   Cutting and welding
LY Products   1.0 kW   Flash lamp   Automotive   Cutting and welding
DQ Series   350 W – 850 W   Laser diodes   Automotive,   Surface treatment
            Consumer    
            electronics    

Rofin’s DP/DS/LY Series of continuous wave, solid-state lasers are designed exclusively for use with flexible fiber-optic beam delivery systems, making them particularly well-suited for integration into complex production systems for cutting and welding applications. The key competitive advantages of the DP/DS Series lasers are the fact that they are diode-pumped and that they are designed to allow multiple power output configurations. These configurations include continuous wave, pulsed and power ramping modes, which allow Rofin to address a wide range of customer applications. In addition, several features of the DP/DS Series laser are designed for easy maintenance, such as the simple modular resonator design, easily accessed power supply and PC-based controller equipped with a modem, which allows communication with a remote service center. The diode pumping technology is characterized by high beam quality and high efficiency. These lasers are used

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principally in the automotive industry. The LY product is a flash lamp pumped, solid-state laser mainly targeting low price markets. The Company’s DQ Series of Q switched, solid-state lasers are designed for applications such as removal, cleaning, and insulation of various materials in the automotive and consumer electronics markets. To meet the different demands of the industry the DQ Series lasers offer a couple of set up options which differ in power, pulse energy, and number of laser sources per unit.

The Company’s family of diode laser products for welding, soldering and surface treatment applications, and their principal markets, are discussed below.

        MODE OF   PRINCIPAL    
LASER SERIES   POWER RANGE   EXCITATION   MARKETS   APPLICATIONS
Diode Lasers   10 W - 3.6 kW   Direct current   Electronics   Soldering
            Machine tool   Surface treatment
            Medical device   Plastic welding
            Automotive   Plastic welding

The Company’s diode lasers are designed to meet the requirements of a wide range of welding, soldering, and surface treatment applications. The Company’s high-power laser diodes can be stacked into arrays achieving output powers in the multiple kilowatt range. In addition to their use in the automotive, machine tool and electronics markets, these lasers are also sold into the medical device and research markets.

LASER MARKING PRODUCTS

The company entered the laser-marking business in 1989 when it acquired Laser Optronic GmbH from Coherent General Inc. and designed and introduced the “PowerLine” laser marker. Since then the Company has developed a broad line of market leading laser markers that deliver optimal results in terms of quality and speed on a wide range of materials. Based on its vast experience, Rofin offers standardized and customized laser marking systems in different power ranges and wavelengths for use in various industrial segments. Strength and experience in research and development, application and software ensure innovative, tailored solutions which meet most exigent customer demands. The Company’s laser marking products incorporate high value-added software –VisualLaser Marker and LaserCAD - to facilitate use in the customer’s own environment.

The Company believes that the following factors have contributed to the growth that it has experienced in the laser marking business:

  • the Company’s ability to tailor its laser marking solutions to the customer’s requirements;

  • the Company’s expertise in solid-state laser beam power, mode structure and high-frequency switching capability which provides optimal quality in terms of marking contrast and speed on a wide variety of materials;

  • the Company’s proprietary software – VisualLaserMarker and LaserCAD - which provides an interface between the laser marking products and the customer’s computers and supports a broad range of network communication software; and

  • the Company’s focus on innovation, which is reflected in cutting-edge products that satisfy standard as well as complex market requirements.

The Company’s business strategy for its laser marking business is four-fold:

  • to expand its position in worldwide laser marking markets with particular focus on the automotive, semiconductor and electronics industries;

  • to offer a balanced product portfolio covering different technologies that addresses high-end and general application markets;

  • to practice application development with existing and new products; and

  • to capitalize on its installed base of lasers by cross-selling the Company’s products to the existing customers.

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The Company’s family of laser marking products is as follows:

        MODE OF   PRINCIPAL    
LASER SERIES   POWER RANGE   EXCITATION   MARKETS   APPLICATIONS
PowerLine   2 W – 120 W   Laser diodes, Flash   Semiconductor,   Integrated circuit
StarMark Series       lamps or CO2   electronics,   marking, marking of
            general marking   metals plastics and
            applications   organic materials,
                Day and Night
                design
MultiScan   100W   High Frequency   Packaging   Consumer goods
VectorScan               marking
LabelMarker E   Stand-alone laser based system   Automotive   Label marking
LabelMarker Compact           Non-automotive   Label marking
 
EasyMark II   Laser workstation   General marking   Metal and plastics
            applications, medical   marking
            components, tool    
            industry    
CombiLine Series   Laser workstation for integration of a wide   General marking   Metal and plastics
    range of Rofin laser markers   applications   marking

PowerLine/StarMark Series – The Company’s standard PowerLine and StarMark laser marking products consist of a range of lasers with output power from 2 watts to 120 watts with a galvo-head, a personal computer with state-of-the-art processor and Rofin’s proprietary VisualLaserMarker and LaserCAD software. The modular design of the PowerLine and StarMark markers with 19” components enable the customers to order the most suitable configuration for their production processes or systems (e.g. OEM-customers may order the laser head and 19” modules, for easy integration into the system specified by the end-user). The PowerLine and StarMark solid-state lasers incorporate either diode modules or a dual or single lamp ceramic cavity design using “long-life” lamps both of which result in higher output power (and therefore higher marking speeds), higher energy efficiency (and therefore reduced operating costs), high beam quality (and therefore constant and reliable marking quality), and longer service intervals. New-generation, completely air-cooled solutions ensure further increase in efficiency in addition to a compact size. The Company’s proprietary VisualLaserMarker and LaserCAD software provide customers with a user-friendly software environment that allows them to select fonts, import graphics, preview marking and control all laser parameters and job programs. If requested, PowerLine marking products can also be equipped with low-power fiber lasers. Special options and accessories include a double marking head allowing speeds of up to 1,200 characters per second in certain applications (most notably marking of integrated circuits), as well as beam-switching and -splitting options for marking of products in multiple production lines using a single laser. Their main application - among a wide variety of possible applications - is the marking of plastics and smart cards in the semiconductor and electronics industries.

MultiScan VS – This vector scanning marker utilizes a 100 watts sealed-off CO2 laser and features the ability to mark components that are moving at high speeds. The main application is the marking of consumer goods in the packaging industry.

LabelMarker E - This stand-alone laser based system is Rofin’s state-of-the art solution when it comes to high demands concerning speed and reliability in the process of label marking. The LabelMarker E ensures high efficiency and a short marking time due to an integrated, powerful laser. As an elaborate all-in-one solution, the LabelMarker E is compact and comfortable. This laser system with the safety class 1 can be used in any production area without additional safety requirements.

LabelMarker Compact – This all-in-one desktop label marker combines performance and flexibility on virtually any conventional label material. The user interface with an integrated, comfortable touch panel provides for routine operation and the selection of pre-defined marking layouts. The LabelMarker Compact operates with efficient and low-maintenance thermoelectric cooling. It requires no external water supply and can be connected to any power outlet from 110 V to 240 V. A network interface is available for integration into production control networks.

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EasyMark II – The EasyMark II is a class 1 transportable desktop device. The 100 V – 240 V connection and an integrated cooling based on thermo-electrical technology guarantee quick and easy initial operation. The EasyMark offers a program-controlled z axis and a rotary axis which can optionally be integrated. An aluminum T-slot plate facilitates mounting of customer-specific work piece carriers. Processing of work pieces of different size and shape is thus possible.

CombiLine Flexible / CombiLine Advanced – These compact laser workstations have been designed for small and medium-size batches. They integrate a wide range of Rofin laser markers depending on the customer’s specific application. Supply units are incorporated in the housing to provide efficient use of the floor space. Different versions either with rotary or work table with various axes enable exact adaptation to the required tasks.

LASER MICRO PRODUCTS

After the acquisition of Baasel Lasertech, the Company formed a separate sales and marketing group focused on micro applications. This group markets and sells a broad range of laser products, including lamp pumped, pulsed, solid-state lasers for various spot welding and fine cutting applications, CO2 Slab lasers for perforating applications, Q switched, solid-state lasers for surface structuring and diode lasers for soldering and plastic welding applications. Relying on its many years of experience in perforating cigarette paper, the Company is pursuing new perforating applications in the packaging industry.

The Company’s business strategy for its micro applications business is to:

  • further increase its share of the manual spot welding market in the jewelry and dental industries and develop customers in other industries, such as consumer electronic industry that use a similar product and technology for industrial applications;

  • focus on manufacturers of medical instruments and implants within the medical device industry using mainly the applications cutting and welding;

  • increase its sales of perforating systems to the packaging industry for applications like easy-tear and special perforated foils for food packaging that allow the transfer of air and keep moisture in packaged goods; and

  • develop new markets for glass cutting and solar-cell structuring applications.

The Company’s family of laser products for micro applications is as follows:

        MODE OF   PRINCIPAL    
LASER SERIES   POWER RANGE   EXCITATION   MARKETS   APPLICATIONS
StarWeld Series   40 W - 500 W   Flash Lamp   Jewelry,   Spot and seam
            Medical Device   welding
            Electronics    
StarPulse   40W + 90 W   Flash Lamp   Medical Device   Spot and seam
            Electronics   welding
StarFiber   100 W– 200 W   Diode   Electronics   Fine cutting/Fine
            Medical device   welding
X-Lase   1W – 24 W   Diode   Semiconductor,   Micro structuring
            Electronics, Solar    
            cell    
DS Disc Series   60 W – 750 W   Diode   Electronics   Cutting/Structuring
StarCut Series   12 W – 150 W   Flash Lamp/Diode   Medical   Fine cutting
PerfoLas Systems   n.a.   n.a.   Paper   Perforating
StarShape Systems   n.a.   n.a.   Packaging   Cutting/
                Drilling/Structuring
Series 800   8 W – 1000 W   Flash Lamp   OEM   Micro/Marking
Series 600   8 W – 100 W   Flash Lamp   OEM   Micro/Marking
Series LDP   10 W - 200 W   Diode   OEM   Micro/Marking
Series LEP   4W – 6 W   Diode   OEM   Micro/Marking
Series LDPP   10 W – 50 W   Diode   OEM   Fine cutting

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StarWeld Series – Rofin’s standard StarWeld laser products consist of pulsed solid-state lasers in the range of 40 watts to 500 watts. Although the StarWeld Series has a wide variety of possible applications, its main application is the fine welding of jewelry, electronics, and dental parts.

StarPulse Series – The StarPulse Series consists of pulsed Nd:YAG rod lasers with power ratings from 40 to 90 watts. StarPulse lasers provide high peak powers and high pulse-to-pulse stability and are designed for use in fine welding applications such as laser welding of highly reflective materials in the medical device and electronics industry.

StarFiber Series - The robust and compact fiber laser systems of the StarFiber Series achieve nominal powers of 100 or 200 watts. The lasers can be operated in either pulsed or continuous wave mode. The StarFiber Series is designed for a broad range of applications for fine welding and fine cutting, such as welding of electromechanic components or fine cutting, e.g. in the production of medical devices.

X-Lase – The X-Lase Series comprise of picosecond pulse mode-locked fiber laser systems with a maximal output power of 24 watts. Main markets are in the semiconductor, solar cell, electronics, and display industries. In these industries the X-Lase products can be used for thin film patterning, ablation and scribing applications.

DS Disc Series – Rofin’s Disc laser products use laser diodes as the source of excitation to pump a thin crystal (disc). The output power is in the range of 60 watts to 750 watts and the main application is structuring or cutting of electronics.

StarCut Series – Rofin’s StarCut laser products use pulsed solid-state lasers in the range of 12 watts to 150 watts. Their main application is the fine cutting of medical devices.

PerfoLas Systems – The PerfoLas Systems consist of a high-power CO2 laser and a specially designed beam delivery and paper handling system that includes a laser beam splitter (PerfoLas Multiplexer) which allows customers to drill more than 500,000 holes per second into paper or foils. The main application for these lasers is perforation of cigarette tip paper.

StarShape Systems – The StarShape Systems consist of a CO2 or solid-state laser in combination with a galvo scanning head and is used for precise cutting, drilling, and surface structuring.

The Series 600 and 800 are flash-lamp pumped, solid-state lasers sold to OEM-customers and system integrators for various micro and marking applications.

The Series LDP and LEP are diode pumped, solid-state lasers sold to OEM-customers and system integrators for various micro and marking applications.

The Series LDPP are diode pumped Nd:YAG lasers that are designed specifically to precision cut thin metals. Main market is the medical devices industry.

COMPONENT PRODUCTS

Power Supplies – The Company offers power supplies for pulsed and continuous wave solid-state lasers, CO2 lasers, diode lasers, as well as RF generators for acousto-optic Q-switches through its wholly-owned subsidiary PMB Elektronik GmbH.

Fiber and Optics Technology – Special fiber lasers or optical engines for primary use in fiber lasers are manufactured and marketed by the Company’s Finland-based subsidiary Corelase Oy.

Laser Diodes and Modules – High-power semiconductor components such as high power, high-brightness laser diodes and modules are marketed by the Company’s subsidiaries Dilas Diodenlaser GmbH, Dilas Diodelaser Inc., and m2k-laser GmbH.

Fibers and Fiber Optic Beam Deliveries - Fibers, fiber components, beam splitters or switches and beam combiners designed for use in industrial lasers or as beam delivery systems are manufactured and marketed by Optoskand AB, Sweden.

The Company’s high-technology components are either integrated by other laser manufacturers into their products or are used for the Company’s own product portfolio.

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APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT

In addition to manufacturing and selling laser sources for macro applications and marking and micro applications, Rofin operates application centers in eight countries where it develops laser-based solutions for customers seeking alternatives to conventional manufacturing techniques. Revenues derived from application development are not a significant component of total revenues. Applications development is generally a support service to the sales and marketing function and is performed to customize the laser to the particular needs of the customer. The Company currently has approximately 40 employees in applications development.

MARKETS AND CUSTOMERS

Rofin sells its laser products and laser-based system solutions to a wide range of industries. Our three principal markets are the machine tool, automotive, and semiconductor and electronics industries. The following table sets forth the allocation of the Company’s total laser sales among our principal markets:

    Fiscal Years    
Principal Market   2007     2006     2005     Primary Applications
Machine Tool   36 %   31 %   33 %   Cutting and welding
 
Semiconductor and   23 %   18 %   12 %   Marking of integrated
Electronics                     circuits, electronic
                      components and smart cards
 
Automotive & Sub-Supplier   8 %   7 %   9 %   Cutting, welding and
                      component marking
    67 %   56 %   54 %    

The remaining 33%, 44%, and 46%, of total laser sales in fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively, were attributable to customers in a wide variety of other industries including aerospace, consumer goods, medical device manufacturers, flexible packaging, job shops, jewelry, universities and institutes. No one customer accounted for over 10% of total sales in any of these periods.

SALES, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION

Rofin sells its products in approximately 45 countries to OEMs, systems integrators and industrial end-users who have in-house engineering resources capable of integrating Rofin’s products into their own production systems. Lasers for cutting applications are marketed and sold principally to OEMs in the machine tool industry who sell laser cutting machines incorporating Rofin’s products without any substantial involvement by Rofin. Lasers for welding applications are marketed and sold both to systems integrators and to end-users. Laser marking products are marketed and sold directly to end-users and to OEMs for integration into their handling systems (mainly for integrated circuit and smartcard marking applications). Laser micro products are marketed and sold directly to end-users and to OEM-customers (mainly for jewelry and dental applications). In the case of both welding lasers and laser marking products, the end-user is significantly involved in the selection of the laser component. In these cases, Rofin’s application engineers work directly with the end-user to optimize the application’s performance and demonstrate the advantages of the Company’s products.

Rofin has approximately 125 direct sales engineers operating in 24 countries, approximately 40 of whom are dedicated to marketing lasers for macro applications and approximately 85 of whom are dedicated to marketing lasers for marking and micro applications. Rofin sales engineers work either in a well-defined geographic territory or are dedicated to specific industries or applications. In addition, Rofin has 24 independent representatives marketing the Company’s laser products in Australia, Argentina, Brazil, China, Denmark, Eastern Europe, France, Finland, India, Israel, Northern Africa, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Scandinavia, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. These independent representatives provide Rofin with sales leads and opportunities, but do not distribute Rofin’s products. All sales and delivery of product are conducted by the Company. Fifteen of the independent representative agreements are on an exclusive basis, with the other nine on a non-exclusive basis. These agreements provide for a standard

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percentage of the net sales price to be paid as commissions to the representatives. The duration of the agreements is usually one year (with an automatic one-year extension) and a six months cancellation clause.

Rofin directs its worldwide sales and marketing of lasers for macro applications from its offices in Hamburg (Germany), and of laser diode components, from Mainz (Germany) and Tucson, Arizona. Worldwide sales and marketing of laser marking products is directed from Rofin’s offices in Gunding-Munich (Germany) and, for laser micro products and power supplies, from Starnberg (Germany). Optical engines for fiber lasers for the worldwide market are sold and marketed from Tampere, (Finland) and fiber optics and beam delivery systems are sold and marketed from Gothenburg, Sweden. In Europe, Rofin also maintains sales and service offices in Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

North American sales of Rofin’s macro and micro laser products are managed out of the Company’s Plymouth, Michigan, facility and of its marking products are managed out of its Boxborough, Massachusetts, facility. The Company also maintains a sales office in Tempe, Arizona, to support the expansion of Rofin’s laser marking business in the North American market and a new sales and service office in Mississauga, (Canada) to support the Canadian market.

PRC Laser directs its worldwide sales and marketing of lasers for macro applications from its office in Landing, New Jersey, while Lee Laser directs its worldwide sales and marketing of laser for micro applications from its office in Orlando, Florida. Both companies sell their products independently under their own brands.

The Company maintains sales and service offices in Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and China, to cover the Asia/Pacific region. Over the next five years, the Company expects demand for industrial lasers to increase in the Asia/Pacific region. The Company believes that the geographic market with the greatest long-term potential over the next 10 to 15 years is China, principally due to the expansion of domestic automobile and semiconductor and electronic production in that country. The Company has a technology license agreement with the Nanjing Eastern Laser Corporation, or NELC, under which NELC manufactures CO2 laser sources for sale in the Chinese market.

CUSTOMER SERVICE, REPLACEMENT PARTS AND COMPONENTS

During each of fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005, approximately 35% of the Company’s revenues were generated from sales of after-sales services, replacement parts and components for laser products. The Company believes that a high level of customer support is necessary to successfully develop and maintain long-term relationships with its OEM and end-user customers. This close relationship is maintained as customers’ needs change and evolve.

Recognizing the importance of its existing and growing installed multinational customer base, the Company has expanded its local service and support platform into new geographic regions. Rofin has 334 customer service personnel. The Company’s field service and in-house technical support personnel receive ongoing training with respect to the Company’s laser products, maintenance procedures, laser-operating techniques, and processing technology. Most of the Company’s OEM-customers also provide customer service and support to end-users.

Many of Rofin’s laser products are operated 24 hours a day in high speed, quality-oriented manufacturing operations. Accordingly, the Company provides 24 hour, year-round service support to its customers in the United States, Germany, and the majority of other countries in which it operates. The Company plans to continue adopting similar service support elsewhere. In addition, eight-hour response time is provided to certain key customers. This support includes field service personnel who reside in close proximity to the Company’s installed base. The Company provides customers with process diagnostic and verification techniques, as well as specialized training in the operation and maintenance of its systems. The Company also offers regularly scheduled and intensive training programs and customized maintenance contracts for its customers.

Of Rofin’s 334 customer service personnel, approximately 200 employees operate in the field in 50 countries. Field service personnel are also involved in the installation of the Company’s systems.

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Rofin’s approach to the sale of replacement parts is closely linked to the Company’s strategic focus on rapid customer response. The Company provides around-the-clock order entry and provides same or next day delivery of parts worldwide in order to minimize disruption to customers’ manufacturing operations. Rofin typically provides a minimum one-year warranty for its products with warranty extensions negotiated on a case-by-case basis. It agrees to after-sales service and parts supply up to a period of 10 years, if requested by a customer. The Company’s growing base of installed laser sources and laser-based systems is expected to continue to generate a stable source of parts and service sales.

In addition, the Company offers components such as OEM laser modules, optical engines, laser diodes, fiber optic delivery systems, and power supplies. These high-technology components are mainly integrated by other laser manufacturer into their product portfolio.

COMPETITION

Laser Macro Products

The market for laser macro products and systems is fragmented and includes a large number of competitors, many of which are small or privately owned or which compete with Rofin on a limited geographic, industry-specific or application-specific basis. The Company also competes in certain target markets with competitors that are part of large industrial groups and have access to substantially greater financial and other resources than Rofin. The overall competitive position of the Company will depend upon a number of factors, including product performance and reliability, price, customer support, manufacturing quality, the compatibility of its products with existing laser systems, and the continued development of products utilizing the technologies of diode lasers and diode pumped, solid-state lasers. Competition among laser manufacturers is also based on attracting and retaining qualified engineering and technical personnel.

Rofin believes it is among the top three suppliers of laser sources in the worldwide market for macro applications. Companies such as Trumpf and Fanuc (for high-power CO2 lasers), Excel/Synrad and Coherent (for low-power CO2 lasers), Trumpf and IPG (for solid-state lasers) and Laserline and Jenoptik (for diode lasers and laser diodes) compete in certain of the markets in which Rofin operates. However, in the Company’s opinion, none of these companies compete in all of the industries, applications and geographic markets currently served by Rofin. We believe that only Trumpf has a product range and worldwide presence similar to that of the Company.

Laser Marking and Micro Products

Significant competitive factors in the laser marking and micro market include system performance and flexibility, cost, the size of each manufacturer’s installed base, capability for customer support and breadth of product line. Because many of the components required to develop and produce a laser product for marking and micro applications are commercially available, barriers to entry into this market are low and the Company expects new competitive products to enter this market. The Company believes that its product range for marking and micro applications will compete favorably in this market primarily due to the performance and price characteristics of such products.

The Company’s laser marking products compete with conventional ink-based and acid-etching technologies, as well as with laser mask-marking. The Company’s micro products compete with conventional welding, etching and spark erosion technologies. The Company believes that its principal competitors in the laser marking and micro market include Trumpf, GSI Group, Unitek Miyachi, Lasag, IPG and Excel/Control Laser.

Rofin also competes with manufacturers of conventional non-laser products in applications such as welding, drilling, soldering, cutting, and marking. The Company believes that as manufacturing industries continue to modernize, seek to reduce production costs and require more precise and flexible production, the features of laser-based systems will become more desirable than systems incorporating conventional material processing techniques and processes. The increased acceptance of these laser applications by industrial users will be enhanced by laser product line expansion to include lower and higher power CO2 lasers, advancements in fiber-optic beam delivery systems, improvements in reliability, and the introduction of lower and higher power diode lasers and diode pumped, solid-state lasers capable of performing heavy industrial material processing and marking and micro applications.

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MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY

Rofin manufactures and tests its high-power CO2 and solid-state laser macro products at its Hamburg (Germany), Plymouth, Michigan, Landing, New Jersey, and Kingston upon Hull (UK) facilities. The Company’s laser marking products are manufactured and tested at its facilities in Gunding-Munich (Germany), Starnberg (Germany), Oxford (UK), Singapore, and Boxborough, Massachusetts. Rofin’s micro application products are manufactured and tested in Starnberg (Germany), Tampere (Finland) and Orlando, Florida. The Company’s diode laser products are manufactured and tested at its Mainz (Germany), Freiburg (Germany) and Tucson, Arizona, facilities. The Company’s low-power CO2 laser products are manufactured and tested in Kingston upon Hull (UK). Coating of Rofin’s Slab laser electrodes is performed at the Overath (Germany) facility. The Company’s fiber optics and beam delivery systems are manufactured and tested in Gothenburg (Sweden), and power supplies are manufactured and tested in Starnberg (Germany).

Given the competitive nature of the laser business, the Company focuses substantial efforts on maintaining and enhancing the efficiency and quality of its manufacturing operations. The Company utilizes just-in-time and cell-based manufacturing techniques to reduce manufacturing cycle times and inventory levels, thus enabling it to offer on-time delivery and high-quality products to its customers.

Rofin’s in-house manufacturing includes only those manufacturing operations that are critical to achieve quality standards or protect intellectual property. These manufacturing activities consist primarily of product development, testing of components and subassemblies (some of which are supplied from within the Company and others of which are supplied by third party vendors and then integrated into the Company’s finished products), assembly and final testing of the completed product, as well as proprietary software design and hardware/software integration. Although the Company minimizes the number of suppliers and component types wherever practicable it has at least two sources of supply for key items. Rofin has a qualifying program for its vendors and generally seeks to build long-term relationships with such vendors. The Company purchases certain major components from single suppliers. The Company estimates that 21% of its revenues are from the sale of products that require specialized components currently only available from single sources. Rofin has written agreements with such suppliers and has not had material delays in supplies from these sources. The Company believes that it could, if necessary, purchase such components from alternative sources, within four to six months, following appropriate qualification of such new vendors.

Rofin is committed to meeting internationally recognized manufacturing standards. Its Hamburg, Gunding-Munich, Starnberg, and Mainz facilities, are ISO 9001 certified. In addition, the following facilities are ISO 9002 certified: Pamplona (Spain), Milan (Italy), Paris (France), Willerby (UK), Gothenburg (Sweden) and Singapore.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

During fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005, Rofin’s net spending on research and development was $27.8 million, $24.0 million, and $22.6 million, respectively. The Company’s net spending on research and development reflects receipt of funding under German government and European Union grants totaling $2.3 million, $1.2 million, and $0.9 million, in fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. Rofin has approximately 218 employees engaged in product research and development.

Rofin’s research and development activities are directed at meeting customers’ manufacturing needs and application processes. Core competencies include CO2 gas lasers, solid-state lasers, diode lasers, precision optics, electronic power supplies, fiber optics, beam delivery, control interfaces, software programming and systems integration. The Company strives for customer-driven development activities and promotes the use of alliances with key customers and joint development programs in a wide range of its target markets.

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The Company’s research and development activities are carried out in eleven centers in Hamburg, Gunding-Munich, Starnberg, Freiburg, and Mainz (all Germany), Kingston upon Hull (UK), Gothenburg (Sweden), Tampere (Finland), Plymouth, Michigan, Landing, New Jersey, and Orlando, Florida (all USA), and are centrally coordinated and managed. Rofin maintains close working relationships with the leading industrial, government and university research laboratories in Germany, including the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology in Aachen, the Institute for “Technische Physik” of the German Space and Aerospace Research Center in Stuttgart, the Institute for “Strahlwerkzeuge” of the University of Stuttgart, the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Science in Dresden, the Laser Center in Hanover, and elsewhere around the world, including the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. These relationships include funding of research, joint development programs, personnel exchange programs, and licensing of patents developed at these institutes.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Rofin owns intellectual property, which includes patents, proprietary software, technical know-how and expertise, designs, process techniques and inventions.

While policies and procedures are in place to protect critical intellectual property rights, Rofin believes that its success depends to a larger extent on the innovative skills, know-how, technical competence and abilities of Rofin’s personnel. The Company is also a worldwide licensee of two U.S. patents, one Japanese patent and their corresponding foreign counterparts, which expire in 2008 and 2010, respectively. These licenses are exclusive for industrial material processing applications of 500 watts and above for the diffusion cooled, waveguide technology used in the Company’s Slab Series CO2 lasers and non-exclusive for applications below 500 watts. In Rofin’s view, the technology protected by these three patents represents a significant step forward in industrial laser technology for material processing and is an important source of Rofin’s current revenues and future growth and profitability.

Rofin protects its intellectual property in a number of ways including, in certain circumstances, patents. Rofin has sought patent protection primarily in the United States, Europe, and Japan. Rofin currently holds 162 separate patents for inventions relating to lasers, processes and power supplies with expiration dates ranging from 2008 to 2026. In addition, 56 patent applications have been filed and are under review by the relevant patent authorities. Rofin requires its employees and certain of its customers, suppliers, representatives, agents and consultants to enter into confidentiality agreements to further safeguard Rofin’s intellectual property.

Rofin, from time to time, receives notices from third parties alleging infringement of such parties’ patent or other intellectual property rights by Rofin’s products. While these notices are common in the laser industry and Rofin has in the past been able to develop non-infringing technology or license necessary patents or technology on commercially reasonable terms, Rofin cannot assure that it would in the future prevail in any litigation seeking damages or expenses from Rofin or to enjoin Rofin from selling its products on the basis of such alleged infringement. Nor can Rofin assure that it would be able to develop any non-infringing technology or to license any valid and infringed patents on commercially reasonable terms. In the event any third party made a valid claim against Rofin or its customers and a license were not made available to Rofin on commercially reasonable terms, Rofin would be adversely affected.

From time to time, Rofin files notices of opposition to certain patents on laser technologies held by others, including academic institutions and competitors of Rofin, which the Company believes could inhibit its ability to develop laser products for industrial material processing applications.

ORDER BACKLOG

The Company’s order backlog was $116.6 million, $84.9 million, and $76.3 million, as of September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. The Company’s order backlog, which contains relatively little service, training and spare parts, represents approximately three months of laser shipments. The increase in the Company’s order backlog from September 30, 2006 to September 30, 2007, was attributable to 24% higher orders for macro applications and 14% higher order entry for micro and marking applications. The fluctuation of the U.S. dollar in fiscal 2007 had a favorable effect of approximately $5.1 million on year-to-year order backlog. The increase in the Company’s order backlog from September 30, 2005 to September 30, 2006, was attributable to 14% higher orders for macro applications and 13% higher order entry for micro and marking applications. The fluctuation of the U.S. dollar in fiscal 2006 had an unfavorable effect of approximately $1.6 million on year-to-year order backlog.

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An order is entered into backlog by Rofin when a purchase order with an assigned delivery date has been received. Delivery schedules range from one week to six months, depending on the size, complexity and availability of the product or system ordered, although typical delivery dates for laser source products range between 6-12 weeks from the date an order is placed. Although there is a risk that customers may cancel or delay delivery of their orders, orders for standard non-customized lasers can typically be allocated to other customers without significant additional costs. The Company also manages this risk by establishing the right to charge a cancellation fee that covers any material and developmental costs incurred prior to the order being cancelled. Enforcement of this right is dependent on many factors including, but not limited to, the customer’s requested length of delay, the number of other outstanding orders with the same customer, and the ability to quickly convert the canceled order to another sale.

The Company anticipates shipping the present backlog during fiscal 2008. However, the Company’s backlog at any given date is not necessarily indicative of actual sales for any future period.

EMPLOYEES

At September 30, 2007, Rofin had 1,609 full-time employees, of which 900 were in Germany, 255 in the United States, 6 in Canada, 40 in France, 48 in Italy, 126 in the United Kingdom, 30 in Spain, 9 in the Netherlands, 43 in Sweden, 20 in Finland, 11 in Belgium, 30 in Singapore, 13 in Korea, 17 in Taiwan, 31 in China, and 30 in Japan, whereas at September 30, 2006, Rofin had 1,490 full-time employees, of which 840 were in Germany, 260 in the United States, 3 in Canada, 40 in France, 47 in Italy, 110 in the United Kingdom, 30 in Spain, 8 in the Netherlands, 39 in Sweden, 11 in Belgium, 28 in Singapore, 11 in Korea, 14 in Taiwan, 19 in China, and 30 in Japan. The average number of employees for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, was 1,542.

While the Company’s employees are not covered by collective bargaining agreements and the Company has never experienced a work stoppage, slowdown or strike, the Company’s employees at its Hamburg and Starnberg facilities are each represented by a nine-person works council and in Gunding-Munich by a seven-person works council. Additionally, Hamburg and Gunding-Munich are represented by a four-person central works council. Matters relating to compensation, benefits and work rules are negotiated and resolved between management and the works council for the relevant location. The Company considers its relations with its employees to be good.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

The majority of the Company’s laser products sold in the United States are classified as Class IV Laser Products under applicable rules and regulations of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (“CDRH”) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The same classification system is applied in the European markets. Safety rules are formulated with “Deutsche Industrie Norm” (i.e., German Industrial Standards) or ISO standards, which are internationally harmonized.

CDRH regulations generally require a self-certification procedure pursuant to which a manufacturer must file with the CDRH with respect to each product incorporating a laser device, periodic reporting of sales and purchases and compliance with product labeling standards. The Company’s laser products for macro, micro and laser marking applications can result in injury to human tissue if directed at an individual or otherwise misused.

The Company believes that its laser products for macro, micro and marking applications are in substantial compliance with all applicable laws for the manufacture of laser devices.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Company makes available, free of charge on its internet website, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). You can find these reports on the Company’s website at www.rofin.com under the heading “Investor Relations”. The information on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

20


These reports may also be obtained at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room is available by calling the SEC at (202) 942-8090. You may also access this information at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). This site contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

ITEM 1A.      RISK FACTORS

DOWNTURNS IN THE INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY IN THE MACHINE TOOL, AUTOMOTIVE, AND SEMICONDUCTOR AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES MAY HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR SALES AND PROFITABILITY.

Our business depends substantially upon capital expenditures particularly by manufacturers in the machine tool, automotive, and semiconductor and electronics industries. We estimate that approximately 67% of our laser sales during fiscal year 2007 were to these three industry markets. These industries are cyclical and have historically experienced periods of oversupply, resulting in significantly reduced demand for capital equipment, including the products manufactured and marketed by us. For the foreseeable future, our operations will continue to depend upon capital expenditures in these industries, which, in turn, depend upon the market demand for their products. Decreased demand from manufacturers in these industries, for example, during a downturn, may lead to decreased demand for our products. Although such decreased demand would reduce our sales, we may not be able to reduce expenses quickly, due in part to the need for continual investment in research and development and the need to maintain extensive ongoing customer service and support capability. Although we order materials for assembly in response to firm orders, the lead time for assembly and delivery of some of our products creates a risk that we may incur expenditures or purchase inventories for products which we cannot sell.

Accordingly, any downturn or slowdown in the machine tool, automotive, and semiconductor and electronics industries could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF OUR SALES ARE OVERSEAS AND OUR RESULTS ARE THEREFORE SUBJECT TO THE IMPACT OF EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS.

Although we report our results in U.S. dollars, approximately 69% of our current sales are denominated in other currencies, including the Euro, Swedish krona, British pound, Singapore dollar, Japanese yen, Korean won, Taiwanese NT dollar, Canadian dollar, and Chinese RMB. The fluctuation of the Euro, and the other functional currencies, against the U.S. dollar has had the effect of increasing and decreasing (as applicable) reported net sales as well as cost of goods sold and gross margin and selling, general and administrative expenses denominated in such foreign currencies when translated into U.S. dollars as compared to prior periods. Our subsidiaries will, from time to time, pay dividends in their respective functional currencies, thus presenting another area of potential currency exposure for us in the future.

We also face transaction risk from fluctuations in exchange rates between the various currencies in which we do business. We believe that a certain portion of the transaction risk of our operations in multiple currencies is mitigated by our hedging activities, utilizing forward exchange contracts and forward exchange options. We also continue to borrow in each operating subsidiary’s functional currency to reduce exposure to exchange gains and losses. However, there can be no assurance that changes in currency exchange rates will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

OUR INABILITY TO MANAGE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.

Our products are currently marketed in approximately 45 countries, with Germany, the rest of Europe, the United States, and the Asia/Pacific region being our principal markets. Our operations and sales in our principal markets are subject to risks inherent in international business activities, including:

  • the general political and economic conditions in each such country or region;

  • overlap of differing tax structures;

  • management of an organization spread over various jurisdictions; and

21


  • unexpected changes in regulatory requirements and compliance with a variety of foreign laws and regulations, such as import and export licensing requirements and trade restrictions.

Any failure to manage the risks associated with our international business operations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our profitability may be adversely affected by economic slowdowns in the United States, Europe, or the Asia/Pacific region. A recession in these economies could trigger a decline in laser sales to the machine tool, automotive, or semiconductor/electronics industries, and any related weaknesses in their respective currencies could adversely affect customer demand for our products, the U.S. dollar value of our foreign currency denominated sales, and ultimately our consolidated results of operations.

WE DEPEND ON THE ABILITY OF OUR OEM-CUSTOMERS TO INCORPORATE OUR LASER PRODUCTS INTO THEIR SYSTEMS.

Our sales depend in part upon the ability of our OEM-customers to develop and sell systems that incorporate our laser products. Adverse economic conditions, large inventory positions, limited marketing resources, and other factors affecting these OEM-customers could have a substantial impact upon our financial results. We cannot provide assurances that our OEM-customers will not experience financial or other difficulties that could adversely affect their operations and, in turn, our financial condition or results of operations.

WE EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST, AND EXPECT TO EXPERIENCE IN THE FUTURE, FLUCTUATIONS IN OUR QUARTERLY RESULTS. THESE FLUCTUATIONS MAY INCREASE THE VOLATILITY OF OUR STOCK PRICE.

We have experienced and expect to continue to experience some fluctuations in our quarterly results. We believe that fluctuations in quarterly results may cause the market prices of our common stock, on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, to fluctuate, perhaps substantially. Factors which may have an influence on the Company’s operating results in a particular quarter include:

  • the timing of the receipt of orders from major customers;

  • product mix;

  • competitive pricing pressures;

  • the relative proportions of domestic and international sales;

  • our ability to design, manufacture and introduce new products on a cost-effective and timely basis;

  • the delayed effect of incurrence of expenses to develop and improve marketing and service capabilities;

  • foreign currency fluctuations;

  • ability of our suppliers to produce and deliver components and parts, including sole or limited source components, in a timely manner, in the quantity desired and at the prices we have budgeted;

  • our ability to control expenses; and

  • costs related to acquisitions of businesses.

These and other factors make it difficult for us to release precise predictions regarding the results and the development of our business.

In addition, our backlog at any given time is not necessarily indicative of actual sales for any succeeding period. As our delivery schedule typically ranges from one week to six months, our sales will often reflect orders shipped in the same quarter that they are received. Moreover, customers may cancel or reschedule shipments and production difficulties could delay shipments. Accordingly, the Company’s results of operations are subject to significant fluctuations from quarter to quarter. See also “Business - Order Backlog”.

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Other factors that we believe may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate, perhaps substantially, include announcements of new products, technologies or customers by us or our competitors, developments with respect to intellectual property and shortfalls in our operations relative to analysts’ expectations. In addition, in recent years, the stock market in general, and the shares of technology companies in particular, have experienced wide price fluctuations. These broad market and industry fluctuations, particularly in the semiconductor and electronics and automotive industries, may adversely affect the market prices of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

THE MARKETS FOR OUR PRODUCTS ARE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE AND INCREASED COMPETITION COULD INCREASE OUR COSTS, REDUCE OUR SALES OR CAUSE US TO LOSE MARKET SHARE.

The laser industry is characterized by significant price and technical competition. Our current and proposed laser products for macro and marking and micro applications compete with those of several well-established companies, some of which are larger and have substantially greater financial, managerial and technical resources, more extensive distribution and service networks, and larger installed customer bases than us.

We believe that competition will be particularly intense in the CO2, diode laser, and solid-state laser markets, including fiber lasers, as many companies have committed significant research and development resources to pursue opportunities in these markets. There can be no assurance that we will successfully differentiate our current and proposed products from the products of our competitors or that the market place will consider our products to be superior to competing products. Because many of the components required to develop and produce a laser-based marking system are commercially available, barriers to entry into this market are relatively low, and we expect new competitive product entries in this market. To maintain our competitive position in these markets, we believe that we will be required to continue a high level of investment in engineering, research and development, marketing, and customer service and support. There can be no assurance that we will have sufficient resources to continue to make these investments, that we will be able to make the technological advances necessary to maintain our competitive position, or that our products will receive market acceptance. See also “Business - Competition”.

OUR FUTURE GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS DEPEND UPON OUR ABILITY TO DEVELOP NEW AND ENHANCED PRODUCTS TO MEET MARKET DEMAND AND TO INCREASE OUR MARKET SHARE FOR LASER MARKING AND MICRO PRODUCTS.

If we are to increase our laser sales in the near term, these sales will have to come through increases in market share for our existing products, through the development of new products, or through the acquisition of competitors or their products. To date, a substantial portion of our revenues has been derived from sales of high-powered CO2 laser sources, solid-state laser sources, and diode lasers. In order to increase market demand for these products, we will need to devote substantial resources to:

  • continuing to broaden our CO2 laser product range;

  • continuing to increase the output power of our CO2 laser sources, diode lasers, and diode pumped, solid-state laser products; and

  • continuing to reduce the manufacturing costs of our product range to achieve more attractive pricing.

A large part of our growth strategy depends upon being able to increase our worldwide market share for laser marking and micro products.

Our future success depends on our ability to anticipate our customers’ needs and develop products that address those needs. Our ability to control costs is limited by our need to invest in research and development. If we are unable to implement our strategy to develop new and enhanced products, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected. We cannot provide assurance that we will successfully implement our business strategy or that any of the newly developed or enhanced products will achieve market acceptance or not be rendered obsolete or uncompetitive by products of other companies. See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business - The Company’s Laser Products”.

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IF WE LOSE OUR KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE OUR BUSINESS OR ACHIEVE OUR OBJECTIVES.

Our future success depends in large part upon the leadership and performance of our executive management team and key employees at the operating level. These key employees include technical, sales and support personnel for our operations on a worldwide basis. If we lose the services of one or more of our executive officers or key employees, or if one or more of them decides to join a competitor or otherwise compete directly or indirectly with us, we may not be able to successfully manage our business or achieve our business objectives. If we lose the services of any of our key employees at the operating or regional level, we may not be able to replace them with similarly qualified personnel, which could harm our business.

WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY ACQUIRE NEW OPERATIONS OR INTEGRATE FUTURE ACQUISITIONS, WHICH COULD CAUSE OUR BUSINESS TO SUFFER.

An important part of our growth strategy is making strategic acquisitions of companies with complementary operations or products. We may be unable to successfully complete potential strategic acquisitions if we cannot reach agreement on acceptable terms or for other reasons. Future acquisitions may require us to obtain additional debt or equity financing, which may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. In connection with future acquisitions, we may assume the liabilities of the companies we acquire. Any debt that we incur to pay for future acquisition could contain covenants that restrict the manner in which we operate our business. Any new equity securities that we issue for this purpose would be dilutive to our existing stockholders. If we buy a company or a division of a company, we may experience difficulty integrating that company or division’s personnel and operations, which could negatively affect our operating results.

In addition:

  • the key personnel of the acquired company may decide not to work for us;

  • we may experience additional financial and accounting challenges and complexities in areas such as tax planning, treasury management and financial reporting;

  • we may be held liable for risks and liabilities (including for environmental-related costs) as a result of our acquisitions, some of which we may not discover during our due diligence;

  • our ongoing business may be disrupted or receive insufficient management attention; and

  • we may not be able to realize the synergies, cost savings or other financial benefits we anticipated.

WE DEPEND ON LIMITED SOURCE SUPPLIERS THAT COULD CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL MANUFACTURING DELAYS AND INCREASE OUR COSTS IF A DISRUPTION IN SUPPLY OCCURS.

We estimate that 21% of our revenues are derived from sales of products that require specialized components only available from single sources. We also rely on a limited number of independent contractors to manufacture subassemblies for some of our products. There can be no assurance that, in the future, our current or alternative sources will be able to meet all of our demands on a timely basis. If one or more of our suppliers or subcontractors experiences difficulties that result in a reduction or interruption in supply to us, or if they fail to meet any of our manufacturing requirements, our business could be harmed until we are able to secure alternative sources, if any. If we are unable to find necessary parts or components on commercially reasonable terms, we could be required to reengineer our products to accommodate available substitutions which would increase our costs and/or have a material adverse effect on manufacturing schedules, product performance and market acceptance.

OUR FAILURE TO PROTECT OUR PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY OR TO AVOID LITIGATION FOR INFRINGEMENT OR MISAPPROPRIATION OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF REVENUES AND PROFITS.

Our future success depends in part upon our intellectual property rights, including trade secrets, know-how and continuing technological innovation. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by us to protect our intellectual property rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation or that others will not develop competitive technologies or products.

24


We currently hold 162 United States and foreign patents on our laser sources, with expiration dates ranging from 2008 to 2026. We have also obtained licenses under certain patents covering lasers and related technology incorporated into our products. Of particular importance is the license of three patents related to the sales of our Slab Series CO2 lasers, which we estimate to account for approximately 25% of our revenue in fiscal year 2007. Two of them expire in 2008 and one expires in 2010. In addition, 56 patent applications have been filed and are under review by the relevant patent authorities. There can be no assurance that other companies are not investigating or developing other technologies that are similar to ours, that any patents will issue from any application filed by us or that, if patents do issue, the claims allowed will be sufficiently broad to deter or prohibit others from marketing similar products. In addition, there can be no assurance that any patents issued to us will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, or that the rights thereunder will provide a competitive advantage to us. See also “Business - Intellectual Property.”

From time to time, we receive notices from third parties alleging infringement of such parties’ patent or other proprietary rights by our products. While these notices are common in the laser industry and we have in the past been able to develop non-infringing technology or license necessary patents or technology on commercially reasonable terms, there can be no assurance that we would in the future prevail in any litigation seeking damages or expenses from us or to enjoin us from selling its products on the basis of such alleged infringement, or that we would be able to develop any non-infringing technology or license any valid and infringed patents on commercially reasonable terms. In the event any third party made a valid claim against us or our customers and a license was not made available to us on commercially reasonable terms, we would be adversely affected.

ANY DEFECTS IN OUR PRODUCTS OR CUSTOMER PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE USE OF OUR PRODUCTS MAY SERIOUSLY HARM OUR BUSINESS AND REPUTATION.

Our laser products are technologically complex and may contain known and undetected errors or performance problems. In addition, performance problems can also be caused by the improper installation of our products by a customer. These errors or performance problems could result in customer dissatisfaction, which could harm our sales or customer relationships. In addition, these problems may cause us to incur significant warranty and repair costs and divert the attention of our engineering personnel from our product development efforts.

ITEM 1B.      UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

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ITEM 2.      PROPERTIES

The Company’s manufacturing facilities include the following:

    Owned or   Size**    
Location of Facility   Leased   (sq. ft.)   Primary Activity
Hamburg, Germany   Owned*   164,703     CO2 lasers, solid-state lasers, diode
              lasers
Starnberg, Germany   Leased   95,517     Laser marking and micro products,
              power supplies
Gunding-Munich, Germany   Leased   69,079     Solid-state lasers, laser marking
              products
Plymouth, Michigan   Leased   52,128     CO2 lasers, laser micro and
              marking systems
Kingston upon Hull,              
United Kingdom   Leased   48,485     Low-power CO2 lasers
Orlando, Florida   Owned   35,207     Solid-state lasers
Landing, New Jersey   Owned   34,292     CO2 lasers
Mainz, Germany   Leased   35,476     Diode lasers and components
Boxborough, Massachusetts   Leased   22,512     Laser marking systems
Gothenburg, Sweden   Leased   20,089     Fiber optic production
Overath, Germany   Leased   12,417     Coating of materials
Oxford, United Kingdom   Leased   11,578     Laser marking systems
Sakai, Atsugi-shi, Japan   Leased   9,763     CO2 lasers
Tampere, Finland   Leased   8,404     Fiber lasers, Optical Engines
Pamplona, Spain   Owned   7,532     Laser marking systems
Singapore   Leased   6,047     Laser marking products
Freiburg, Germany   Leased   4,724     Laser diodes
Tucson, Arizona   Leased   3,715     Components

The facility is owned by Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH (“RSL”); the real property on which the facility is located is leased by RSL under a 99-year lease.

** Includes sales, administration and research and development facilities where applicable.

The Kingston upon Hull (United Kingdom) facility lease expires in 2012. The Gunding-Munich (Germany) facility lease expires in 2007. The Company resigned from the contract and will move to another facility in the beginning of 2008. The new facility is leased until 2017. The leases on its Japanese facilities in Atsugi-shi expire in 2011, with a renewal option for five years. The Mainz (Germany) facility lease expires in 2011 and 2017, the Overath (Germany) facility leases expire in 2008, and the Freiburg (Germany) facility leases expire in 2012. The Singapore facility lease expires in 2009. The Starnberg (Germany) main facility is leased until 2017 from a member of the Company’s board of directors and includes a clause to terminate the lease contract within a two-year notice period during the contract. The leases on its U.S. facilities in Boxborough, Massachusetts, Plymouth, Michigan, and Tucson, Arizona, expire in 2010, 2012, and 2013, respectively. The Gothenburg (Sweden) facility lease expires in 2008, with a renewal option for three years. The Tampere (Finland) facility is leased with no expiration date but can be terminated with a three months notice from the landlord and a one month notice from the lessee.

The Company maintains sales, administration and research and development facilities at each of the Hamburg, Starnberg, Gunding-Munich, Mainz, Freiburg, Kingston upon Hull, Gothenburg, Tampere, Plymouth, Landing, and Orlando locations. The Company also maintains sales and service offices worldwide, all of which are leased, with the exception of the Pamplona, Spain, and Seoul (South Korea) properties which are owned.

The Company believes that its existing facilities are adequate to meet its currently projected needs for the next 12 months and that suitable additional or alternative space would be available, if necessary, in the future on commercially reasonable terms.

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ITEM 3.      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company has been and is likely to be involved from time to time in litigation involving its intellectual property and ordinary routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business.

A licensor of patents covering the technology used in certain of the Company’s CO2 lasers has asserted that the Company has calculated royalties due in respect of certain sales of such CO2 laser in a manner that is not consistent with the applicable license agreement. In addition, the licensor claims that it has not been provided with copies of invoices and other documentation relating to such sales, to which it asserts it is entitled under the license agreement. The Company disputes these and related allegations and believes that it is in compliance with all of its obligations under the license agreement. Following discussions with the licensor in order to resolve these disagreements, the parties have reached an agreement in principle that an independent auditor should be appointed to review the calculations made by the Company in connection with the royalties it has paid in the past. Management believes that it will achieve a resolution of this matter that will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operation or cash flows.

ITEM 4.      SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters submitted to a vote of the security holders during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2007.

PART II

ITEM 5.      MARKET PRICE FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED
  STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and also on the Prime Standard Segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, under the symbol RSTI and international securities identification number (ISIN) US7750431022, respectively. The table below sets forth the high and low closing sales prices of the Company’s Common Stock for each quarter ended during the last two fiscal years as reported by NASDAQ:

       Common Stock Trade Prices
  Quarter ended   High   Low
  December 31, 2005   $ 45.85   $ 34.00
  March 31, 2006   $ 54.24   $ 42.49
  June 30, 2006   $ 63.34   $ 49.31
  September 30, 2006   $ 60.77   $ 50.26
  December 31, 2006   $ 63.72   $ 57.34
  March 31, 2007   $ 65.43   $ 56.33
  June 30, 2007   $ 70.30   $ 59.89
  September 30, 2007   $ 73.10   $ 65.07

At November 26, 2007, the Company had 5 holders of record of its Common Stock and 15,457,400 shares outstanding. A significantly greater number of holders of the Company’s Common Stock are “street name” or beneficial holders, whose shares are held of record by bankers, brokers and other financial institutions. The Company has not paid dividends on its Common Stock and does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

During the fiscal year 2007, no equity securities of the Company were sold by the Company that were not registered under the Securities Act.

There were no purchase of common stock of the Company made by the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” of the Company as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act during the fourth fiscal quarter of the fiscal year 2007.

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STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following Stock Price Performance Graph includes comparisons required by the SEC. The Graph does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference therein.

The following graph presents the one-year total return for Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. Common Stock compared with the NASDAQ Stock Market Index and the S&P Technology Sector Index. Rofin-Sinar selected these comparative groups due to industry similarities and the fact that they contain several direct competitors.

The graph assumes that the value of the investment in Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. Common Stock, the NASDAQ Stock Market Index, and the S&P Technology Sector Index each was $100 on September 30, 2002, and that all dividends were reinvested. The S&P Technology Sector Index is weighted by market capitalization. The stock price performance shown in this graph is not necessarily indicative of, and not intended to suggest future stock price performance.

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc., The NASDAQ Composite Index
And The S&P Information Technology Index

* $100 invested on 9/30/02 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending September 30.

Copyright © 2007, Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. www.researchdatagroup.com/S&P.htm

EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC

    Rofin-Sinar   NASDAQ Stock   S&P Technology
    Technologies Inc.   Market Index   Sector Index
9/30/02   100        100        100     
9/30/03   333.65        150.59        159.55     
9/30/04   466.35        162.89        162.68     
9/30/05   603.02        185.48        184.55     
9/30/06   964.60        196.37        190.56     
9/30/07   1114.44        236.60        235.02     

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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data for the five fiscal years ended September 30, 2007. The information sets forth below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

      Year ended September 30,  
          2007           2006           2005           2004           2003  
      (in thousands, except per share amounts)  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:                                        
Net sales   $ 479,675     $ 420,890     $ 375,191     $ 322,628     $ 257,746  
Cost of goods sold     276,402       242,619       222,189       190,473       161,465  
Gross profit     203,273       178,271       153,002       132,155       96,281  
Selling, general & administrative                                        
expenses     86,468       76,900       66,171       58,336       51,282  
Research & development expenses     27,830       23,968       22,565       20,473       18,060  
Amortization expense     4,251       3,532       5,270       2,389       1,654  
Income from operations     84,724       73,871       58,996       50,957       25,285  
Net interest expense (income)     (5.028 )     (2.588 )     148       1,771       3,249  
Income before income taxes     87,115       76,664       58,570       50,078       24,727  
Income tax expense     31,838       27,041       20,595       17,648       9,422  
Net income     55,277       49,623       37,975       32,430       15,305  
Earnings per common                                        
     share – Basic   $ 3.57     $ 3.25     $ 2.52     $ 2.41     $ 1.31  
Earnings per common                                        
     share – Diluted   $ 3.48     $ 3.16     $ 2.44     $ 2.31     $ 1.29  
Shares used in computing earnings                                        
     per share – Basic     15,488       15,284       15,072       13,479       11,640  
Shares used in computing earnings                                        
     per share – Diluted     15,903       15,687       15,561       14,020       11,863  
 
OPERATING DATA (as percentage of sales):                                  
Gross profit     42.4 %     42.4 %     41.0 %     41.0 %     37.4 %
Selling, general & administrative                                        
expenses     18.0 %     18.3 %     17.6 %     18.1 %     19.9 %
Research & development expenses     5.8 %     5.7 %     6.0 %     6.4 %     7.0 %
Income from operations     17.7 %     17.6 %     15.7 %     15.8 %     9.8 %
Income before income taxes     18.2 %     18.4 %     15.8 %     15.5 %     9.6 %
 
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:                                        
Working capital   $ 344,907     $ 282,659     $ 222,002     $ 163,540     $ 98,759  
Total assets     626,224       501,521       428,638       413,806       291,486  
Line of credit and loans     40,592       35,416       41,002       54,802       68,833  
Stockholders’ equity     448,923       358,440       294,166       257,384       140,586  

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ITEM 7.      MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. is a leader in the design, development, engineering, manufacture, and marketing of laser-based products, primarily used for cutting, welding, and marking a wide range of materials.

Lasers are a non-contact technology for material processing, which have several advantages compared to conventional manufacturing tools that are desirable in industrial applications. The Company’s lasers all deliver a high-quality beam at guaranteed power outputs and feature compact design, high processing speed, flexibility, low operating and maintenance costs and easy integration into the customer’s production process. As a technological leader in CO2, solid-state lasers and diode lasers, the Company is able to meet a broad range of its customers’ material processing requirements.

Based on the Optoelectronics Report, projected 2007 industry data for laser products used for macro (cutting and welding) applications and marking and micro (fine cutting, fine welding, and perforating) applications combined, the Company believes it has a worldwide market share (based on sales volume) of approximately 22% and that it is among the largest suppliers of laser products used for marking applications worldwide. The Company has sold more than 43,000 laser sources since 1975 and currently has over 3,000 active customers (including multinational companies with multiple facilities purchasing from the Company). During fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005, approximately 43%, 41%, and 43%, respectively, of the Company’s revenues related to sales of laser products for macro applications, approximately 9%, 8%, and 7% respectively, related to sales of components, and approximately 48%, 51%, and 50%, respectively, related to sales of laser products for marking and micro applications.

Through its global manufacturing, distribution and service network, the Company provides a comprehensive range of laser sources and laser-based system solutions to three principal target markets: the machine tool, automotive, and the semiconductor and electronics industries. The Company sells directly to end-users and to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) (principally in the machine tool industry) that integrate Rofin’s laser sources with other system components. Many of Rofin’s customers are among the largest global participants in their respective industries. During fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005, 23%, 30%, and 29%, respectively, of the Company’s sales were in North America, 55%, 48%, and 54%, respectively, were in Europe and 22%, 22%, and 17%, respectively, were in Asia. See Note 13, “Geographic Information”, to the consolidated financial statements for further information.

Outlook

Management believes that its global presence will support the Company’s future business, both from the Asian market and the robust economy in Europe, which should compensate for the softer North American markets. Management also believes that the Company’s record backlog and the continued high demand for its macro laser products from the machine tool industry as well as its broad product portfolios for micro and marking applications will support the business in the upcoming quarters. The Company believes also that its diversified customer base should mitigate the worsening of business conditions in single industrial or geographical markets in future.

Acquisitions

Effective October 22, 2004, the Company purchased the remaining 17% share capital of Rofin-Baasel Espana S.L. through RSTE under an option agreement between the Company and the former minority shareholder.

Effective December 9, 2004, the Company purchased an additional 5% of the share capital of Rofin-Sinar U.K. Ltd. through RSTE under an option agreement between the Company and the former minority shareholders. The Company held 76% of the share capital as a result of this purchase.

In July 2005, the Company formed a new Chinese subsidiary, Rofin-Baasel China Co., Ltd. which is an 80% owned subsidiary of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary RSL.

Effective October 1, 2005, the Company formed DILAS Diodelaser Inc. in Tucson, Arizona, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Rofin-Sinar, Inc.

Effective December 2, 2005, the Company purchased an additional 4% of the share capital of Rofin-Sinar U.K. Ltd. through Rofin-Sinar Technologies Europe S.L. under an option agreement between the Company and the former minority shareholders. The Company currently holds 80% of the share capital of Rofin-Sinar U.K. Ltd. This purchase resulted in goodwill of $0.5 million.

On March 23, 2006, the Company acquired 40% of the share capital of H2B Photonics GmbH, Garbsen (Germany) through its wholly-owned subsidiary Carl Baasel Lasertechnik GmbH & Co. KG. H2B Photonics GmbH specializes in the development, manufacturing and sales of laser-based systems used to cut brittle materials, such as glass, to produce perfectly cut edges.

Effective May 1, 2006, the Company formed Rofin-Baasel Canada Ltd. in, Mississauga, Canada, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Rofin-Sinar, Inc.

Effective December 2, 2006, the Company purchased an additional 1% of the share capital of Rofin-Sinar U.K. Ltd. through Rofin-Sinar Technologies Europe S.L. under an option agreement between the Company and the former minority shareholders. The Company currently holds 81% of the share capital of Rofin-Sinar U.K. Ltd. This purchase resulted in goodwill of approximately $0.2 million.

Effective February 28, 2007, the Company acquired 80% of the common stock of m2k-laser GmbH, Freiburg (Germany), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH. m2k-laser GmbH develops and manufactures semiconductor lasers based on the III-V compounds GaAs and GaSb for use predominantly in the scientific industry. Additionally, the parties have agreed on a put/call option exercisable beginning in 2012 for the remaining 20% of the common stock. Accordingly, the Company’s financial statements present m2k-laser GmbH as if it was 100%-owned. This purchase resulted in goodwill of approximately $0.6 million.

Effective March 28, 2007, the Company acquired 100% of the common stock of Corelase Oy, Tampere (Finland). Corelase Oy has considerable experience in semiconductors, optics, and fiber technology. Its product lines include fiber-coupled diode laser systems, continuous-wave and ultra short pulse mode-locked fiber laser systems, and components such as diode lasers for a wide range of material processing applications. The terms of the purchase include payment of deferred purchase price based on Corelase Oy achieving certain financial targets. This purchase resulted in goodwill of approximately $6.9 million.

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Effective April 05, 2007, the Company acquired 100% of the common stock of ES Technology Ltd., Oxford, (UK), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Rofin-Baasel UK Ltd. ES Technology Ltd. develops customized laser marking system solutions based on various laser technologies and distributes a number of optical devices and components into Northern European territories from several American suppliers via its subsidiary, Laser Service (Oxford) Ltd. This purchase resulted in goodwill of approximately $0.7 million.

Effective May 14, 2007, the company purchased an additional 45% of the share capital of H2B Photonic GmbH, Garbsen (Germany) through its wholly-owned subsidiary Carl Baasel Lasertechnik GmbH. The Company currently holds 85% of the share capital of H2B Photonic GmbH. This purchase resulted in goodwill of approximately $0.1 million.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the periods indicated, the following table sets forth the percentage of net sales represented by the respective line items in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations:

    Fiscal Year ended September 30,
    2007     2006     2005  
Net sales   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %
Cost of goods sold   57.6 %   57.6 %   59.2 %
Gross profit   42.4 %   42.4 %   40.8 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses   18.0 %   18.3 %   17.6 %
Research & development expenses   5.8 %   5.7 %   6.1 %
Intangibles amortization   0.9 %   0.8 %   1.4 %
Income from operations   17.7 %   17.6 %   15.7 %
Income before income taxes   18.2 %   18.2 %   15.6 %
Net income   11.5 %   11.8 %   10.1 %

Fiscal Year 2007 Compared to Fiscal Year 2006

Net Sales – Net sales of $479.7 million represents an increase of $58.8 million, or 14%, over the prior year. Net sales increased $72.7 million, or 25%, in Europe/Asia and decreased $13.9 million, or 11%, in North America, compared to the prior year. The U.S. dollar fluctuated against foreign currencies, which had a favorable effect on net sales of $26.8 million. Net sales of laser products for macro applications increased by 19% to $205.8 million, primarily due to the higher demand for our lower and higher power CO2 lasers from OEM-customers in the machine tool industry. Net sales of lasers for marking and micro applications increased by 9% to $231.9 million compared to fiscal year 2006, mainly due to the higher demand for our lasers for micro and marking applications principally from the photovoltaic, electronics, and medical device industries. Revenues for the component business increased by 22% to $42 million, primarily due to higher sales related to laser diodes and fiber-optic products.

Gross Profit – The Company’s gross profit of $203.3 million increased by $25.0 million, or 14%, over the prior year. As a percentage of sales, gross profit remained at 42%. The high percentage margin in fiscal year 2007 was primarily a result of a favorable product mix across all product lines and the higher production efficiencies gained primarily in the manufacturing of high-power CO2 lasers. Gross profit was favorably affected by $9.2 million in fiscal year 2007 due to the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar.

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses – Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $9.6 million, or 12%, to $86.5 million, compared to fiscal year 2006 primarily as a result of our increased selling and marketing activities, the acquisition of our new companies, and higher commissions related to our record-high revenues. Selling, general and administrative expenses were impacted by $2.1 million higher stock-based compensation expenses compared to fiscal year 2006. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses remained at 18%. Selling, general and administrative expenses were unfavorably affected by $4.2 million in fiscal year 2007 due to the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar.

Research and Development – The Company’s net expenses for research and development amounted to $27.8 million, which represents an increase of $3.8 million, or 16%, over fiscal year 2006 primarily due to ongoing research and development work mainly in the area of high-power fiber lasers, diode pumped, solid-state lasers, and CO2 lasers . Gross research and development expenses for fiscal years 2007 and 2006, were $30.1 million and $25.2million, respectively, and were reduced by $2.3 million and $1.2 million of government grants during the respective periods. The Company will continue to apply for, and expects to continue receiving, government grants towards research and development, especially in Europe. Research and development expenses were unfavorably affected by $2.0 million in fiscal year 2007 due to the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar.

Other Income - Net other income of $3.5 million fiscal year 2007 represents a decrease of $0.2 million compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Due to our continued cash generation, the low interest rates on outstanding debt, and higher interest rates on short-term investments, we were able to achieve net interest income of $5.0 million in fiscal year 2007, compared to net interest income of $2.6 million in fiscal 2006. This increased interest income is offset by $2.1 million of foreign currency losses in fiscal 2007 compared to $0.3 million of foreign currency gains in fiscal 2006.

Income Tax Expense – Income tax expense of $31.8 million in fiscal year 2007 and $27.0 million in fiscal year 2006, represent effective tax rates of 36.6 % and 35.3% for the respective periods. The higher effective income tax rate in fiscal year 2007 is mainly due to high permanent differences related to the stock-based compensation expenses and taxable profit generation at nearly all subsidiaries which includes the usage of the existing net operating losses. Income tax expense, a significant portion of which is incurred in foreign currencies, was unfavorably affected by $2.2 million in fiscal 2007 due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies, primarily the Euro.

Net Income – As a result of the foregoing factors, the Company’s net income of $55.3 million ($3.48 per diluted share, based on 15.9 million weighted average common shares outstanding) in fiscal year 2007 increased by $5.7 million over the prior year’s net income of $49.6 million ($3.16 per diluted share, based on 15.7 million weighted average common shares outstanding). SFAS 123R had an effect of reducing net income by $5.0 million. Currency translation increased net income by $0.5 million in fiscal year 2007.

Fiscal Year 2006 Compared to Fiscal Year 2005

Net Sales – Net sales of $420.9 million represents an increase of $45.7 million, or 12%, over the prior year. Net sales increased $27.8 million, or 10%, in Europe/Asia and increased $17.9 million, or 17%, in the United States, as compared to the prior year. The U.S. dollar fluctuated against foreign currencies, which had an unfavorable effect on net sales of $8.8 million. Net sales of laser products for macro applications increased by 6% to $113.4 million, primarily due to the higher demand for our lower and higher power CO2 lasers from the OEM machine tool industry. Net sales of lasers for marking and micro applications increased by 17% to $158.5 million compared to fiscal year 2005, mainly due to the higher demand for our lasers for micro and marking applications principally to the semiconductor, electronics, and medical instruments industries. The overall net sales increase was also supported by a strong spare parts, service, and component business which increased by 12% to $149.0 million in fiscal year 2006.

Gross Profit – The Company’s gross profit of $178.3 million increased by $25.3 million, or 17%, over the prior year. As a percentage of sales, gross profit increased from 41% in fiscal year 2005 to 42% in fiscal year 2006. The percentage margin in fiscal year 2006 was primarily a result of a favorable product mix across all product lines, and the higher production efficiencies gained with the record high production volume. Gross profit was unfavorably affected by $3.1 million in fiscal year 2006 due to the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar.

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses – Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $10.7 million, or 16%, to $76.9 million, compared to fiscal year 2005 primarily as a result of our increased selling and marketing activities, including our new formed subsidiaries in China, the U.S., and Canada, and higher commissions related to our record high revenues. Selling, general and administrative expenses were impacted by the first-time implementation of SFAS 123R, which resulted in $3.3 million stock-based compensation expenses. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses remained at 18%. Selling, general and administrative expenses were favorably affected by $1.5 million in fiscal year 2006 due to the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar.

Research and Development – The Company’s net expenses for research and development amounted to $24.0 million, which represents an increase of $1.4 million, or 6%, over fiscal year 2005 primarily due to ongoing research and development work mainly in the area of diode pumped, solid-state lasers, and CO2 lasers. Gross research and development expenses for fiscal years 2006 and 2005, were $25.2 million and $23.5 million, respectively, and were reduced by $1.2 million and $0.9 million of government grants during the respective periods. The Company will continue to apply for, and expects to continue receiving, government grants towards research and development, especially in Europe. Research and development expenses were favorably affected by $0.7 million in fiscal year 2006 due to the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar.

Other Income - Net other income of $3.7 million fiscal year 2006 represents an increase of $3.6 million compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Due to our continued cash generation, the low interest rate on outstanding debts, and higher interest rates on short-term investments, we were able to achieve net interest income of $2.6 million in fiscal year 2006, compared to net interest expenses of $0.1 million in fiscal 2005. The remaining increase in other income is mainly due to $0.3 million of foreign currency gains in fiscal 2006 compared to $0.3 million of foreign currency losses in fiscal 2005.

Income Tax Expense – Income tax expense of $27.0 million in fiscal year 2006 and $20.6 million in fiscal year 2005, represent effective tax rates of 35.3 % and 35.2% for the respective periods. The effective tax rate in both years is the result of higher income in countries with lower statutory income tax rates, tax exempt interest income in the U.S. and reductions in the valuation allowance on net operating loss carryforwards.

Net Income – As a result of the foregoing factors, the Company’s net income of $49.6 million ($3.16 per diluted share, based on 15.7 million weighted average common shares outstanding) in fiscal year 2006 increased by $11.6 million over the prior year’s net income of $38.0 million ($2.44 per diluted share, based on 15.6 million weighted average common shares outstanding). The implementation of SFAS 123R had an effect of reducing net income by $3.0 million. Currency translation decreased net income by $0.2 million of fiscal year 2006 net income.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s primary sources of liquidity at September 30, 2007, were cash and cash equivalents of $118.5 million, short-term investments of $109.8 million, an annually renewable $25.0 million line of credit with Deutsche Bank AG, and several other lines of credit to support foreign subsidiaries in their local currencies in an aggregate amount of $98.6 million (translated at the applicable exchange rate at September 30, 2007). As of September 30, 2007, $8.7 million was outstanding under the Deutsche Bank facility and $31.9 million under other lines of credit. Therefore, $83.0 million is unused and available under Rofin’s lines of credit. The Company is subject to financial covenants under this facility and these lines of credit, which could restrict the Company from drawing money under them. At September 30, 2007, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

Cash and cash equivalents increased by $43.1 million during fiscal year 2007. Approximately $67.9 million in cash and cash equivalents were provided by operating activities, primarily as the result of increased net income and other non-cash items, principally depreciation and amortization. Operating cash flow was negatively affected by an increase in accounts receivables and in inventories, partially offset by an increase in accrued liabilities and in income taxes payable.

Uses of cash for investing activities totaled $29.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2007, and related primarily to the purchase of short-term investments ($146.8 million) offset by the sale of short-term investments ($131.3), and various additions to property and equipment in connection with the expansion of the Company’s operations ($9.0 million).

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Net cash used by financing activities totaled $4.2 million and was primarily related to current period repayments of bank debt, net of borrowings of $7.9 million, offset by $3.7 million generated through issuance of new shares from the exercise of stock options.

The Company expects that its capital expenditures will be approximately $11.0 million in 2008.

Management believes that cash flows from operations, along with existing cash and cash equivalents and availability under our credit facilities and lines of credit, will provide adequate resources to meet the Company’s capital requirements and operational needs on both a current and a long-term basis.

The following table illustrates the Company’s contractual obligations as of September 30, 2007:

    Payments due by period (in thousands)
            Less than     1-3     3-5     More than
Contractual Obligations     Total     1 Year      Years     Years     5 Years
 
Long-term debt   $ 12,639            $ --            $ 7,348            $ 2,147            $ 3,144
Pension obligations     13,518     278     1,614     2,385     9,241
Operating lease obligations     30,468     7,163     12,166     3,692     7,447
Purchase obligations     107,239     66,453     40,786     --     --
Interest obligation     4,071     1,318     1,906     645     202
Other long-term liabilities     1,094     123     134     161     676
Total   $      169,029   $ 75,335   $      63,954   $      9,030   $ 20,680

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements or financing arrangements involving variable interest entities.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS

Although the Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in U.S. dollars, approximately 69% of its net sales are denominated in other currencies, primarily the Euro, Swedish krona, British pound, Singapore dollar, Taiwanese dollar, Korean won, Japanese yen, Canadian dollar, and Chinese RMB. Net sales and costs and related assets and liabilities are generally denominated in the functional currencies of the operations, thereby serving to reduce the Company’s exposure to exchange gains and losses.

Exchange differences upon translation from each operation’s functional currency to U.S. dollars are accumulated as a separate component of equity. The currency translation adjustment component of shareholders’ equity had the effect of increasing total equity by $42.2 million at September 30, 2007, as compared to $16.4 million at September 30, 2006.

The fluctuation of the Euro and the other relevant functional currencies against the U.S. dollar has had the effect of increasing or decreasing (as applicable) reported net sales, as well as cost of goods sold, gross margin, selling, general and administrative expenses, and research and development expenses, denominated in such foreign currencies when translated into U.S. dollars as compared to prior periods.

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The following table illustrates the effect of the changes in exchange rates on the Company’s fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005, net sales, gross profit, and income from operations:

    Fiscal Year 2007     Fiscal Year 2006     Fiscal Year 2005
          At 2006           At 2005           At 2004
          Exchange           Exchange           Exchange
    Actual              Rates              Actual              Rates              Actual              Rates
    (in millions)
Net sales $      479.7   $      452.9   $      420.9   $      429.7   $      375.2   $      363.8
Gross profit   203.3     193.9     178.3     181.4     153.0     149.4
Income from operations   84.7     82.0     73.9     74.8     59.0     58.4

Between fiscal year 2007 and 2006, the average exchange rate for the Euro strengthened against the U.S. dollar by approximately 7.6% . The impact of this strengthening was to increase net sales and gross profit by $26.8 million and $9.2 million, respectively, because approximately 69% of sales were denominated in other currencies, primarily the Euro. This strengthening of the Euro had the effect of increasing operating expense by $6.4 million, thereby increasing income from operations only by $2.7 million.

Between fiscal year 2006 and 2005, the average exchange rate for the Euro weakened against the U.S. dollar by approximately 3.0% . The impact of this weakening was to decrease net sales and gross profit by $8.8 million and $3.1 million, respectively, because approximately 61% of sales were denominated in other currencies, primarily the Euro. This weakening of the Euro had the effect of decreasing operating expense by $2.2 million, thereby reducing income from operations only by $0.9 million.

Between fiscal year 2005 and 2004, the average exchange rate for the Euro strengthened against the U.S. dollar by approximately 2.3% . The impact of this strengthening was to increase net sales and gross profit by $11.4 million and $3.6 million, respectively, because approximately 66% of sales are denominated in other currencies, primarily the Euro. However, because more than 66% of operating expenses are also denominated in these other currencies, this same strengthening of the Euro had the effect of increasing operating expenses and thereby reducing the overall exchange rate effect on income from operations by $0.6 million.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company’s significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements. Certain of the accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company records allowances for uncollectible customer accounts receivable based on historical experience. Additionally, an allowance is made based on an assessment of specific customers’ financial condition and liquidity. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, additional allowances may be required. No individual customer represents more than 10% of total accounts receivable. Any increase in allowance will impact operating income during a given period.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, after provisions for excess and obsolete inventory salable at prices below cost. Provisions for slow moving and obsolete inventories are provided based on current assessments about historical experience and future product demand and production requirements for the next twelve months. These factors are impacted by market conditions, technology changes, and changes in strategic direction, and require estimates and management judgment that may include elements that are uncertain. The Company evaluates the adequacy of these provisions quarterly. Although the Company strives to achieve a balance between market demands and risk of inventory excess or obsolescence, it is possible that, should conditions change, additional provisions may be needed. Any changes in provisions will impact operating income during a given period.

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Warranty Reserves

The Company provides reserves for the estimated costs of product warranties when revenue is recognized. The Company relies upon historical experience, expectation of future conditions, and its service data to estimate its warranty reserve. The Company continuously monitors these data to ensure that the reserve is sufficient. Warranty expense has historically been within our expectations. To the extent we experience increased warranty claim activity or increased costs associated with servicing those claims (such costs may include material, labor, and travel costs), revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required. Increases in reserves will impact operating income during the period.

Pension Obligations

The determination of the Company’s obligation and expense for pension is dependent on the selection of certain assumptions used by actuaries in calculating those amounts. Assumptions are made about interest rates, expected investment return on plan assets, total turnover rates, and rates of future compensation increases. In addition, the Company provides the actuarial consultants with subjective factors such as withdrawal rates and mortality rates to develop their calculations of these amounts. The Company generally reviews these assumptions at the beginning of each fiscal year. The Company is required to consider current market conditions, including changes in interest rates, in making these assumptions. The actuarial assumptions that the Company uses may differ materially from actual results due to changing market and economic conditions, higher or lower withdrawal rates or longer or shorter life spans of participants. These differences may result in a significant impact on the amount of pension benefits expense the Company has recorded or may record.

The discount rate enables the Company to state expected future cash flows at a present value on the measurement date. The Company has little latitude in selecting this rate and it must represent the market rate of high-quality fixed income investments. A lower discount rate increases the present value of benefit obligations and increases pension expense.

To determine the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the Company considers the current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected returns on various categories of plan assets.

Share-Based Payment

Stock-based compensation cost is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee requisite vesting period. We make judgments about the fair value of the awards, including the expected term of the award, volatility of the underlying stock and estimated forfeitures, which impact the amount of compensation expense recognized in the financial statements. Such amounts may change as a result of additional grants, forfeitures, modifications in assumptions and other factors. SFAS No. 123R provides that income tax effects of share-based payments are recognized in the financial statements for those awards which will normally result in tax deductions under existing tax law. Under current U.S. federal tax laws, we receive a compensation expense deduction related to stock options only when those options are exercised and vested shares are received. Accordingly, the financial statement recognition of compensation cost for stock options creates a deductible temporary difference which results in a deferred tax asset and a corresponding deferred tax benefit in the income statement for all U.S. based employees. Stock compensation expense related to non-U.S. employees is treated as a permanent difference for income tax purposes.

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New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes detailed guidance for the financial statement recognition, measurement and disclosure of uncertain tax positions recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the effective date to be recognized upon the adoption of FIN 48 and in subsequent periods. FIN 48 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 (our fiscal year 2008) and the provisions of FIN 48 will be applied to all tax positions under Statement No. 109 upon initial adoption. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of this interpretation will be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of FIN 48 on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The changes to current practice resulting from the application of this Statement relate to the definition of fair value, the methods used to measure fair value, and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. The Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not believe that the adoption of the provisions of SFAS No. 157 will materially impact our financial position and results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of SFAS 159.

ITEM 7A.      QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The following discussion about the Company’s market risk disclosures involves forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

As of September 30, 2007, the Company maintained cash equivalents and short-term investments of $135.8 million, consisting mainly of non-taxable interest bearing securities and demand deposits all with maturities of less than three months. If short-term interest rates were to increase or decrease by 10%, the impact on interest income would be approximately $0.9 million.

As of September 30, 2007, the Company had $1.1 million of variable rate debt on which the interest rate is reset every three months, $26.2 million of variable rate debt on which the interest rate is reset every six months, $2.4 million of variable rate debt on which the interest rate is set annually and $10.9 million of fixed rate debt. Maturities of this debt are as follows: $27.9 million is due in 2008, $3.5 million is due in 2009, $2.6 million is due in 2010, $1.2 million is due in 2011, $1.6 million is due in 2012, $0.6 million is due in 2014, $2.6 million is due in 2015, and $0,6 million is due in 2017. A 10% change in the variable interest rates of the Company’s debt would result in an increase or decrease in interest expense of less than $0.2 million.

Additionally, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements of total notional amount of Euro 13.0 million (equivalent to $18.4 million based on the exchange rate at September 30, 2007) to minimize the interest expenses on short term debt by shifting from variable to fixed interest rates.

37


Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts and forward exchange options generally of less than one year duration to hedge a portion of its foreign currency risk on sales transactions. At September 30, 2007, the Company held Japanese yen forward exchange options with notional amounts of Euro 1.0 million, Japanese yen forward exchange options with notional amount of $0.5 million, and Great Britain pound forward Exchange options with notional amount of $0.3 million. The gains or losses resulting from a 10% change in currency exchange rates would be approximately $0.2 million.

ITEM 8.      CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

See Item 14(a) for an index to the consolidated financial statements. No supplementary financial information is required to be presented pursuant to Item 302(a) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 9.      CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
  AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

On December 22, 2006, the Company engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP as its new independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and to perform procedures related to the financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, beginning with, and including, the quarter ended December 31, 2006, effective upon completion of Deloitte & Touche LLP’s customary client acceptance procedures, which occurred in January 2007. Prior to appointment as its independent registered public accounting firm, the Company had not consulted Deloitte & Touche LLP on any of the matters referenced in Regulation S-K Item 304(a)(2).

On December 22, 2006, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company notified KPMG LLP that it had decided to dismiss the firm as its independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately.

The decision to change independent registered public accounting firms was recommend by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company at a meeting on December 21, 2006, and followed the Audit Committee’s periodic review, as part of its corporate governance practices, of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

During the Company’s two fiscal years ended September 30, 2006, and subsequent interim period through December 22, 2006, there were no disagreements between the Company and KPMG LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures that, if not resolved to KPMG LLP’s satisfaction, would have caused it to make reference to the matter in conjunction with its report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the relevant year.

KPMG LLP’s audit reports on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the two fiscal years ended September 30, 2006, did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except that KPMG LLP’s report on the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the years ended September 30, 2006, and 2005, contained a separate paragraph stating “as discussed in Note 1, for the year ended September 30, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, ‘Share-Based Payment’, on October 1, 2005.”

The audit report of KPMG LLP on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, as of September 30, 2006 and 2005, did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the two most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2006, and through December 21, 2006, there have been no reportable events (as defined in Regulation S-K, Item 304(a)(1)(v)).

38


The Company furnished KPMG LLP with a copy of the above disclosures and has requested that KPMG LLP furnish it with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the statements made above. A copy of such letter from KPMG LLP is filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 29, 2006 as Exhibit 16.1.

ITEM 9A.      CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Attached as exhibits to this Form 10-K are certifications of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, which are required in accordance with Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). This “Controls and Procedures” section includes information concerning the controls and controls evaluation referred to in the certifications. Part IV, Item 15 of this Form 10-K sets forth the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, regarding its audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting set forth below in this section. This section should be read in conjunction with the certifications and the Deloitte & Touche LLP report for a more complete understanding of the topics presented.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of September 30, 2007. Based on the evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2007.

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and has concluded that there has been no change in such internal control during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records, that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Management assessed the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007, the end of its fiscal year. Management based its assessment on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management’s assessment included evaluation of such elements as the design and operating effectiveness of key financial reporting controls, process documentation, accounting policies, and the Company’s overall control environment. This assessment is supported by testing and monitoring performed by the Company’s Internal Audit organization.

39


Based on its assessment, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of the end of the fiscal year to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, independently assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Deloitte & Touche LLP has issued an attestation report concurring with management’s assessment, which is included at the beginning of Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 9B.      OTHER INFORMATION

None .

PART III

ITEM 10.      DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this item is included in the “Election of Directors”, “Directors and Executive Officers”, “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”, and “Committees of the Board of Directors; Meetings and Compensation of Directors”, sections of the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Company’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in March 2008, and is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 11.      EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item is included in the “Executive Compensation and Related Information” section of the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Company’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in March 2008, and is incorporated by reference herein.

40


ITEM 12.      SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
  AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The following table sets forth the number of securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans at September 30, 2007:

                Number of securities
                remaining available for
    Number of securities   Weighted-average   future issuance under
    to be issued upon   exercise price of   equity compensation
    exercise of   outstanding   plans (excluding
    outstanding options,   options, warrants   securities reflected in
        warrants and rights       and rights       column (a))
    (a)   (b)   (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by                  
     security holders:                  
     2002 Equity Incentive Plan   1,112,000         31 2/5         --      
 
     2007 Incentive Stock Plan   300,000 *   57     1,294,000  
 
Total equity compensation plans approved by   1,412,000     36 6/7     1,294,000  
     security holders                  
Equity compensation plans not approved by   --     --     --  
       security holders                  
Total   1,412,000     36 6/7     1,294,000  

The remaining information required by this is included in the “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Management” sections of the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Company’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in March 2008, and is incorporated by reference herein.

* Does not included 6,000 shares that were issued as the annual grants of shares of common stock to outside Board of Directors

ITEM 13.      CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this item is included in the “Compensation Committee”, “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” sections of the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Company’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in March 2008, and is incorporated by reference herein.

The Company had sales to its minority shareholder in Japan amounting to $1.3 million, $1.8 million, and $1.1 million in fiscal years 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. As of September 30, 2007 and 2006, the accounts receivable with the minority shareholder in Japan amounted to $0.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

The remaining accounts receivables to related party of less than $0.1 million, at September 30, 2007, are with the minority shareholder in Sweden.

RSL paid commissions to its minority shareholder of Rofin-Baasel China of $0.3 million in fiscal 2006. No commissions were paid to the minority shareholder of Rofin-Baasel China in fiscal 2007.

The Company has accrued $0.3 million at September 30, 2007, for the option to purchase the remaining minority interests in m2k and less than $0.1 million were accrued to accumulated interest on this obligation as of September 30, 2007. In fiscal 2007 the Company purchased a license and material amounting to $0.5 million from the minority shareholder of m2k. As of September 30, 2007, the accounts payables with the minority shareholder of m2k amounts to $0.1 million and are included in accounts payable to related party in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

The Company’s sales to related parties have generally been on terms comparable to those available in connection with sales to unaffiliated parties.

41


The main facility in Starnberg (Germany) is rented under a 25-year operating lease from the former minority shareholder of CBL Mr. Baasel, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, and includes a clause to terminate the lease contract within a two-year notice period during the contract. The Company paid rent expense of $0.7million, $0.6 million, and $0.6 million, to Mr. Baasel during fiscal years 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

The Company has accrued $0.1 million at September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005, for the option to purchase the remaining minority interests in Optoskand AB and $0.1 million was accrued to accumulated interest on this obligation as of September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. In addition, the company has accrued $0.5 million and less than $0.1 million at September 30, 2007 and 2006, based on an earn-out agreement with the minority shareholder of Optoskand. These amounts are included in accounts payable to related party in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

The Company believes that all transactions noted above, have been executed on an arms-length basis. Except for the foregoing, no director, officer, nominee director, 5% holder of the Company’s shares, or immediate family member, associate or affiliate thereof, had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the beginning of fiscal year 2003 or has any material interest, direct or indirect, in any proposed transaction, having a value of $60,000 or more.

Indebtedness of Officers and Directors

Since the beginning of fiscal year 2004, there has been no indebtedness to the Company by any director or officer or associates of any such person, other than reimbursements for purchases, for ordinary travel and expense advances and for other transactions in the ordinary course of business.

ITEM 14.      PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information set forth under “Independent Public Accountants” in the definitive form of the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Company’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in March 2008, is incorporated by reference herein.

 

42


PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

a.           1 .   Consolidated Financial Statements    
             
        The following financial statements are filed as part of this 10-K:    
             
        Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-1  
             
        Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2007, and 2006 F-3  
             
        Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended    
        September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005 F-4  
             
        Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and    
        Comprehensive Income for the years ended    
        September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005 F-5  
             
        Consolidated Statements of Cash flows for the years ended    
        September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005 F-6  
             
        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-7  
             
  2 .   Financial Statement Schedules    
             
        Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts F-27  
         
        Schedules not listed above have been omitted because the matter or conditions are not present
        or the information required to be set forth therein is included in the Consolidated Financial
        Statements hereto.    
             
  3 .   Exhibits    
             
        The exhibits listed in the accompanying index to exhibits are filed or incorporated by    
            reference as part of this Annual Report.    

43


EXHIBIT    
NUMBER        DESCRIPTION
     
3.1   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and Form of Certificate of Amendment thereto
    (*)
     
3.2   By-Laws of the Company (**)
     
4.1   Form of Rights Agreement (*)
     
10.1   Form of Sale and Transfer Agreement between Siemens Aktiengesellschaft and Rofin-Sinar
    Technologies Inc. (*)
     
10.2   Form of Sale and Transfer Agreement by and among Siemens Power Corporation and Rofin-
    Sinar Technologies Inc. (*)
     
10.3   Form of Tax Allocation and Indemnification Agreement among Rofin-Sinar Technologies
    Inc., Rofin-Sinar, Inc., Siemens Corporation, and Siemens Power Corporation (*)
     
10.4   Joint Venture Agreement, dated as of May 27, 1992, by and among Rofin-Sinar Laser
    GmbH, Marubeni Corporation and Nippei Toyama Corporation (*)
     
10.5   Cooperation Agreement, dated as of May 27, 1992, among Nippei Toyama Corporation,
    Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH, and Marubeni Corporation (*)
     
10.6   Cooperation Agreement, dated as of May 27, 1992, among Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH,
    Marubeni Corporation, and Nippei Toyama Corporation (*)
     
10.7   Inheritable Building Right (Erbbaurecht), dated as of March 1, 1990, between Rofin-Sinar
    Laser GmbH and Lohss GmbH (in German, English summary provided) (*)
     
10.8   Lease Agreement, dated August 10, 1990, between Josef and Maria Kranz and Rofin-Sinar
    Laser GmbH (in German, English summary provided) (*)
     
10.9   Lease Agreement, dated March 25, 1993, between DR Group and Rofin-Sinar, Incorporated
    (Concept Drive property) (*)
     
10.10   Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH Pension Plan (in German, English summary
    provided) (*) (a)
     
10.11   Form of 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (*) (a)
     
10.12   Form of 1996 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Plan (*) (a)
     
10.13   Deutsche Bank AG Commitment Letter dated August 22, 1996 (*)
     
10.14   Form of Employment Agreement, dated as of September 2, 1996 among Peter Wirth, Rofin-
    Sinar Laser GmbH, and Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. (in German, English summary
    provided)(*) (a)
     
10.15   Form of Employment Agreement, dated as of September 2, 1996, among Gunther Braun,
    Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH, and Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. (in German, English summary
    provided) (*) (a)
     
10.16   English Translation of Acquisition Agreement, dated as of April 29, 2000, by and between
   
Mannesmann Demag Krauss-Maffei AG and Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH (****)
     
10.17   English Translation of Option Agreement between Carl Baasel and Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH (***)

44


EXHIBIT    
NUMBER        DESCRIPTION
           
10.18          Lease Agreement between Carl Baasel and Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH (***)
     
10.19          2002 Equity Incentive Plan (*****) (a)
     
10.20          2007 Incentive Stock Plan (*******) (a)
     
14.1          Code of Business Ethics (******)
     
21.1          List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant
     
23.1          Consent of KPMG, LLP Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
     
23.2          Consent of Deloitte & Touche, LLP Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
     
31.1          Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
     
31.2          Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
     
32.1          Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
     
32.2          Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
     
(*)   Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on
   
Form S-1 (File No. 333-09539) which was declared effective on September 25, 1996.
     
(**)   Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report for the period
    ended March 31, 1998.
     
(***)   Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
    with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 24, 2000.
     
(****)   Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A
    filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 18, 2001.
     
(*****)   Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
    with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 23, 2003.
     
(******)   Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
    filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 2004.
     
(*******)   Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
    filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2007.
     
(a)   Management contracts and compensatory plans and arrangements required to be filed as exhibits
    pursuant to Item 15(c) of this report.

45


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:    November 29, 2007 ROFIN-SINAR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
 
    By:   /s/ Günther Braun  
          Günther Braun
    President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

           SIGNATURE                                      TITLE                                      DATE
 
/s/     Peter Wirth   Chairman of the Board   November 29, 2007
  Peter Wirth        
 
/s/ Günther Braun   President, Chief Executive Officer,   November 29, 2007
  Günther Braun   and Director    
 
/s/ Ingrid Mittelstaedt   Chief Financial Officer   November 29, 2007
  Ingrid Mittelstaedt        
 
/s/ Ralph Reins   Director   November 29, 2007
  Ralph Reins        
 
/s/ Gary Willis   Director   November 29, 2007
  Gary Willis        
 
/s/ Carl F. Baasel   Director   November 29, 2007
  Carl F. Baasel        
 
/s/ Daniel Smoke   Director   November 29, 2007
  Daniel Smoke        
 
/s/ Stephen Fantone   Director   November 29, 2007
  Stephen Fantone        

46


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. and Subsidiaries:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2006 and 2005. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts, for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2006 and 2005. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2006 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As discussed in note 1, for the year ended September 30, 2006, the Company adopted the provision of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R Share-Based Payment, on October 1, 2005.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Detroit, Michigan
December 12, 2006

F-1


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. and Subsidiaries
Plymouth, Michigan

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2007 and the related consolidated statement of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flow for the year then ended. Our audit also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (the “financial statement schedule”).

We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule, and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2007 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

F-2


As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective September 30, 2007, the Company recognized the funded status of its benefit plans in its consolidated balance sheet to conform with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans.


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Detroit, Michigan
November 28, 2007

F-3


ROFIN-SINAR TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands, except share data)

      September 30,  
      2007                2006  
ASSETS                
Current assets:                
                 Cash and cash equivalents   $ 118,458     $ 75,395  
                 Short-term investments     109,751       94,100  
                 Accounts receivable, trade     106,866       87,909  
                 Less allowance for doubtful accounts     (3,206 )     (2,656 )
                                     Trade accounts receivable, net     103,660       85,253  
                 Accounts receivable from related party (note 12)     563       1,157  
                 Other accounts receivable     5,720       2,667  
                 Inventories (note 2)     135,806       116,965  
                 Prepaid expenses     2,938       2,045  
                 Deferred income tax assets (note 9)     10,340       9,974  
                                     Total current assets     487,236       387,556  
Property and equipment, at cost (note 3)     95,579       77,903  
                 Less accumulated depreciation     (51,736 )     (41,649 )
                                     Property and equipment, net     43,843       36,254  
Deferred income tax assets (note 9)     3,291       1,818  
Goodwill (note 4)     79,614       64,616  
Intangibles, net (note 4)     11,382       10,221  
Other assets     858       1,056  
                                     Total assets   $ 626,224     $ 501,521  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
Current liabilities:                
                 Line of credit and short-term borrowings (notes 6)   $ 27,952     $ 17,327  
                 Accounts payable, trade     18,197       15,702  
                 Accounts payable to related party (note 12)     1,222       303  
                 Income taxes payable (note 9)     33,046       15,475  
                 Deferred income tax liabilities (note 9)     38       874  
                 Accrued liabilities (note 5)     61,873       55,216  
                                     Total current liabilities     142,328       104,897  
Long-term debt (note 7)     12,639       18,089  
Pension obligations (note 10)     13,324       11,295  
Deferred income tax liabilities (note 9)     4,245       5,347  
Minority interests     3,794       2,787  
Other long-term liabilities     971       666  
                                     Total liabilities     177,301       143,081  
Commitments (note 8)                
Stockholders’ equity:                
                 Preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares authorized,                
                                     none issued or outstanding     --       --  
                 Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized,                
                                     15,570,800 (15,372,200 at September 30, 2006)                
                                     shares issued and outstanding     156       154  
                 Additional paid-in capital     177,048       167,446  
                 Retained earnings     229,971       174,694  
                 Accumulated other comprehensive income     41,748       16,146  
                                     Total stockholders’ equity     448,923       358,440  
                                     Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $           626,224     $           501,521  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-4


ROFIN-SINAR TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007, 2006, AND 2005
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

      Years ended September 30,  
      2007       2006       2005  
 
Net sales   $ 479,675     $ 420,890     $ 375,191  
Cost of goods sold     276,402       242,619       222,189  
                 Gross profit     203,273       178,271       153,002  
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses     86,468       76,900       66,171  
Research and development expenses     27,830       23,968       22,565  
Amortization expense     4,251       3,532       5,270  
                 Income from operations     84,724       73,871       58,996  
 
Other expense (income):                        
                 Interest, net     (5,028 )     (2,588 )     148  
                 Minority interest     1,126       890       554  
                 Foreign currency losses (gains)     2,115       (344 )     351  
                 Miscellaneous     (604 )     (751 )     (627 )
                 Total other expense (income), net     ( 2,391 )     (2,793 )     426  
 
 
                 Income before income taxes     87,115       76,664       58,570  
Income tax expense (note 9)     31,838       27,041       20,595  
                 Net income   $ 55,277     $ 49,623     $ 37,975  
 
Earnings per share (note 11):                        
Basic   $ 3.57     $ 3.25     $ 2.52  
Diluted   $ 3.48     $ 3.16     $ 2.44  
 
Weighted average shares used in computing                        
                 earnings per share (note 11):                        
 
Basic     15,487,682       15,283,817       15,071,692  
 
Diluted          15,903,227                     15,686,892                     15,561,006  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-5


ROFIN -SINAR TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007, 2006, AND 2005
(dollars in thousands)

                            Accumulated          
    Number of     Common     Additional           Other       Total  
    Common Shares     Stock     Paid-in     Retained     Comprehensive       Stockholders’  
    Outstanding     Par Value     Capital     Earnings     Income (loss)       Equity  
BALANCES at September 30, 2004   14,930,550   $ 149   $ 158,777   $ 87,096   $ 11,362     $ 257,384  
Comprehensive income:                                      
     Fair value of interest swap agreement         --     --     --     302       302  
          Minimum pension liability                           (1,186 )     (1,186 )
     Foreign currency translation adjustment         --     --     --     (4,084 )     (4,084 )
     Net income         --     --     37,975     --       37,975  
               Total comprehensive income                                   33,007  
Common stock issued in connection with:                                      
     Stock incentive plans   192,100     2     3,773     --     --       3,775  
BALANCES at September 30, 2005   15,122,650   $ 151   $ 162,550   $ 125,071   $ 6,394     $ 294,166  
Comprehensive income:                                      
     Fair value of interest swap agreement         --     --     --     204       204  
     Minimum pension liability         --     --     --     707       707  
     Foreign currency translation adjustment         --     --     --     8,841       8,841  
     Net income         --     --     49,623     --       49,623  
               Total comprehensive income                                   59,375  
Common stock issued in connection with:                                      
     Stock incentive plans (net of taxes of $ 2,418)   249,550     3     4,896     --     --       4,899  
BALANCES at September 30, 2006   15,372,200   $ 154   $ 167,446   $ 174,694   $ 16,146     $ 358,440  
Comprehensive income:                                      
     Fair value of interest swap agreement         --     --     --     39       39  
          Minimum pension liability                           479       479  
     Defined benefit pension plan:                                      
               Net loss arising during period         --     --     --     722       722  
     Foreign currency translation adjustment         --     --     --     25,853       25,853  
     Net income         --     --     55,277     --       55,277  
               Total comprehensive income                                   82,370  
Adoption of the recognition provisions of SFAS                                      
     No. 158                           (1,491 )     (1,491 )
Common stock issued in connection with:                                          
     Stock incentive plans   198,600     2     9,602     --     --       9,604  
BALANCES at September 30, 2007        15,570,800            $                156            $           177,048            $           229,971            $      41,748              $      448,923  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-6


ROFIN-SINAR TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007, 2006 AND 2005
(dollars in thousands)

      Years ended September 30,  
      2007       2006       2005  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                        
       Net income   $ 55,277     $ 49,623    
$
37,975  
       Adjustments to reconcile net income                        
               to net cash provided by operating activities:                        
                           Depreciation and amortization     10,959       9,076       10,451  
                           Issuance of restricted stock     335       284       176  
                           Provision for doubtful accounts     1,582       642       (29 )
                           Exchange rate gains     741       ( 22 )     (172 )
                           Loss on disposal of property and equipment     87       47       86  
                           Stock-based compensation expenses     5,374       3,320       --  
                           Deferred income taxes     ( 2,675 )     (4,080 )     (3,655 )
                           Increase in minority interest     1,126       890       595  
                           Change in operating assets and liabilities:                        
                                     Accounts receivable, trade     (10,799 )     (5,437 )     1,542  
                                     Other accounts receivable     (2,423 )     (887 )     (114 )
                                     Inventories     (5,691 )     (5,313 )     (2,540 )
                                     Prepaid expenses and other     (2,686 )     (571 )     (890 )
                                     Accounts payable     786       403       (4,872 )
                                     Income taxes payable     15,291       2,403       2,350  
                                     Accrued liabilities and pension obligations     615       7,909       (2,823 )
                                               Net cash provided by operating                        
                                                    activities     67,899       58,287       38,080  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                        
       Additions to property and equipment     ( 8,964 )     (6,396 )     (6,314 )
       Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment     381       262       289  
       Purchases of short-term investments     (146,794 )     (190,225 )     (62,950 )
       Sales of short-term investments     131,252       174,800       46,325  
       Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired     (5,341 )     (1,249 )     (1,181 )
                           Net cash used in investing activities     (29,466 )     (22,808 )     (23,831 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                        
       Borrowings from bank     3,546       16,095       41,137  
       Repayments to bank     (11,486 )     (23,140 )     (53,931 )
       Issuance of common stock     3,713       3,712       2,178  
Net cash used in financing activities     (4,227 )     ( 3,333 )     (10,616 )
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash     8,857       2,647       (1,247 )
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents     43,063       34,793       2,386  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year     75,395       40,602       38,216  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year   $ 118,458     $ 75,395    
$
40,602  
 
Cash paid during the year for interest  
$
1,601     $ 1,770     $ 1,886  
Cash paid during the year for income taxes   $           21,219         $           28,087         $           22,171  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-7


ROFIN-SINAR TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

1.      SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a)        Description of the Company and Business

The primary business of Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. (“Rofin” or “RSTI” or “the Company”) is to develop, manufacture, and market industrial lasers and supplies used for material processing applications. The majority of the Company’s customers are in the machine tool, automotive and semiconductor and electronics industries and are located in the United States, Europe, and Asia. For the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005 Rofin generated approximately 65% of its revenues from the sale of lasers and laser systems and approximately 35% from aftermarket support for the Company’s existing laser products and from its components business.

The accompanying financial statements present the historical financial information of Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Rofin consists of Rofin-Sinar, Inc. (“RS Inc.”), PRC Laser Corp. (“PRC”), Lee Laser, Inc. (“Lee”), Rofin-Baasel Canada Ltd., Dilas Diodelaser Inc., Corelase Oy, and Rofin-Sinar Technologies Europe S.L. (“RSTE”). RSTE, a European holding company formed in 1999, owns 100% of Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH (“RSL”), 95% of Dilas Diodenlaser GmbH (“Dilas”), 100% of Rofin-Baasel Italiana S.r.l., 100% of Rofin-Baasel France S.A., 81% of Rofin-Sinar UK Ltd., 100% of Rofin-Baasel UK Ltd., 100% of Rofin-Baasel Benelux B.V., 100% of Rofin-Baasel Singapore Pte. Ltd., 100% of Rofin-Baasel Espana S.L. (“RBE”), 100% of Rofin-Baasel Taiwan Ltd., and 100% of Rofin-Baasel Korea Co., Ltd..

Rofin Baasel UK Ltd. owns 100% of ES Technology Ltd. (“EST“). The financial statements of EST include the consolidated accounts of Laser Service Ltd..

The financial statements of PRC include the consolidated accounts of PRC Laser Europe N.V., Belgium.

RSL includes the consolidated accounts of its 88%-owned subsidiary, Rofin-Baasel Japan Corporation, its 100%-owned subsidiary, Rasant-Alcotec Beschichtungstechnik GmbH (“Rasant”), its 100%-owned subsidiary, Carl Baasel Lasertechnik GmbH & Co. KG (“CBL”), its 90%-owned subsidiary Optoskand AB (“Optoskand”), its 100%-owned subsidiary, CBL Verwaltungsgesellschaft GmbH, its 80%-owned subsidiary m2k-laser GmbH (“m2k“), and its 80%-owned subsidiary Rofin-Baasel China Co., Ltd. .

CBL includes the consolidated accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Rofin-Baasel, Inc., Wegmann-Baasel Laser und elektrooptische Geraete GmbH, and PMB Elektronik GmbH, and its 85%-owned subsidiary H2B Photonics GmbH.

All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

F-8


(b)        Acquisitions and Formation of New Entities

The Company uses the purchase method of accounting for its acquisitions with the respective results of operations included in the consolidated results from the date of acquisition.

  • Effective December 9, 2004, the Company purchased an additional 5% of the share capital of Rofin- Sinar U.K. Ltd. through Rofin-Sinar Technologies Europe S.L. under an option agreement between the Company and the former minority shareholders. The Company then held 76% of the share capital as a result of this purchase. This purchase resulted in goodwill of $0.6 million.

  • Effective October 1, 2005, the Company formed DILAS Diode Laser Inc. in Tucson, Arizona as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Rofin-Sinar Inc.

  • Effective December 2, 2005, the Company purchased an additional 4% of the share capital of Rofin- Sinar U.K. Ltd. through Rofin-Sinar Technologies Europe S.L. under an option agreement between the Company and the former minority shareholders. This purchase resulted in goodwill of $0.5 million.

  • Effective May 1, 2006, the Company formed Rofin-Baasel Canada Ltd. in, Mississauga, Canada as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Rofin-Sinar Inc.

  • Effective December 2, 2006, the Company purchased an additional 1% of the share capital of Rofin- Sinar U.K. Ltd. through Rofin-Sinar Technologies Europe S.L. under an option agreement between the Company and the former minority shareholders. The Company currently holds 81% of the share capital of Rofin-Sinar U.K. Ltd. This purchase resulted in goodwill of approximately $0.2 million.

  • Effective February 28, 2007, the Company acquired 80% of the common stock of m2k-laser GmbH, Freiburg (Germany), through its wholly-owned subsidiary RSL. m2k-laser GmbH develops and manufactures semiconductor lasers based on the III-V compounds GaAs and GaSb for use predominantly in the scientific industry. Additionally the parties have agreed on a put/call option exercisable beginning in 2012 for the remaining 20% of the common stock. Accordingly, the Company’s financial statements present m2k-laser GmbH as if it was 100% owned. This purchase resulted in goodwill of approximately $0.6 million.

  • Effective March 28, 2007, the Company acquired 100% of the common stock of Corelase Oy, Tampere (Finland). Corelase Oy has considerable experience in semiconductors, optics, and fiber technology. Its product lines include fiber-coupled diode laser systems, continuous-wave and ultra short pulse mode-locked fiber laser systems, and components such as diode lasers for a wide range of material processing applications. The terms of the purchase include payment of deferred purchase price based on Corelase Oy achieving certain financial targets. This purchase resulted in goodwill of approximately $6.9 million.

  • Effective April 05, 2007, the Company acquired 100% of the common stock of ES Technology Ltd., Oxford, UK, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Rofin-Baasel UK Ltd. ES Technology Ltd. develops customized laser marking system solutions based on various laser technologies and distributes a number of optical devices and components into Northern European territories from several American suppliers via its subsidiary, Laser Service (Oxford) Ltd. This purchase resulted in goodwill of approximately $0.7 million.

  • Effective May 14, 2007, the company purchased an additional 45% of the share capital of H2B Photonic GmbH, Garbsen (Germany) through its wholly-owned subsidiary CBL. The Company currently holds 85% of the share capital of H2B Photonic GmbH. This purchase resulted in goodwill of approximately $0.1 million.

F-9


The Company uses the equity method of accounting in 2006 for the following acquisition.

  • On March 23, 2006, the Company acquired 40% of the share capital of H2B Photonics GmbH, Garbsen (Germany) through its wholly-owned subsidiary Carl Baasel Lasertechnik GmbH & Co. KG.
    H2B Photonics GmbH specializes in the development, manufacturing and sales of laser-based systems used to cut brittle materials, such as glass, to produce perfectly cut edges. Since the purchase of the additional 45% of the share capital of H2B Photonics GmbH in May 2007, the Company uses the purchase method of accounting for this acquisition.

(c)        Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

Cash equivalents consist of financial instruments that are readily convertible into cash and have original maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition.

Short-term investments include auction rate securities. Auction rate securities are variable rate securities tied to short-term interest rates with maturities on the face of the securities in excess of 90 days. Auction rate securities have rate resets through a modified Dutch auction, at predetermined short-term intervals, usually every 7, 28, 35, or 49 days. The securities trade at par and are callable at par on any payment date at the option of the issuer. Investment earnings paid during a given period are based upon the reset rate determined during the prior auction.

Although these securities are issued and rated as long-term securities, they are priced and traded as short-term instruments because of the liquidity provided through the interest rate reset.

“Purchases of short-term investments” and “Sales of short-term investments” , included in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows, have been included to reflect the purchases and sales of auction rate securities during the years presented.

Interest income on cash equivalents and short-term investments was $6,892, $3,998 and $2,126 for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively, and was offset by interest expense of $1,864, $1,410, and $2,274, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

(d)        Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, after provisions for excess and obsolete inventory salable at prices below cost. Costs are determined using the first in, first out and weighted average cost methods.

The Company writes down inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

(e)        Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives, except for leasehold improvements, which are amortized over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the term of the lease. The methods of depreciation are straight line for financial reporting purposes and accelerated for income tax purposes. Depreciable lives for financial reporting purposes are as follows:

    Useful Lives
Buildings   40 Years
Technical machinery and   3-10 Years
equipment    
Furniture and fixtures   3-10 Years
Computers and software   3-4 Years
Leasehold improvements   Lesser of term of lease
    or 15 Years

F-10


The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

(f)        Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired in connection with the Company’s acquisitions.

Goodwill is required to be tested on an annual basis for potential impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is defined as the lowest level of an entity that is a business and that can be distinguished, physically and operationally and for internal reporting purposes, from other activities, operations, and assets of the entity. A reporting unit can be no higher than a reportable operating segment and would generally be lower than that level of reporting. The Company identified three reporting units: the German reporting unit; the North America reporting unit; and the reporting unit for the rest of the world.

In testing for impairment, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying amount. If the carrying value is below the fair value assessment, there will be no impairment loss. If the fair value is below the carrying value, then the Company is required to perform an additional test to determine the impaired fair value of the goodwill and its carrying amount.

The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment testing as of September 30th and determined that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying value and accordingly, the second step of the impairment test was not required to be performed.

(g)        Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable Valuation

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the product has been delivered, the price is fixed or determinable and collection is probable. Terms under these arrangements are generally free on board (“FOB”) shipping point, or (“EXW”) ex works factory, at which time legal title passes from the Company to the customer. Therefore, delivery is generally considered to have occurred upon shipment. In certain circumstances customers may negotiate different terms. In these situations, delivery is considered to have occurred once legal title has passed from the Company to the customer. This may be at delivery to the customer’s destination or acceptance by the Company’s customer.

Sales to end-user customers and resellers typically do not have customer acceptance provisions and only certain of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customer sales have customer acceptance provisions. Customer acceptance is generally limited to performance under published product specifications. For the few product sales that have customer acceptance provisions because of higher than published specifications, (1) the products are tested and accepted by the customer at a Company site or by the customer’s acceptance of the results of a testing program prior to shipment to the customer, or (2) the revenue is deferred until customer acceptance occurs.

The vast majority of our sales are made to OEMs, resellers and end-users in the industrial market. Sales made to OEMs and resellers in the industrial market do not require installation of the products by the Company, as installation is performed by the customer and are not subject to other post-delivery obligations. For end-users, where the Company has agreed to perform installation or provide training, the Company defers revenue related to installation services until installation is completed. The Company defers revenue on training services until these services are provided.

The Company records allowances for uncollectible customer accounts receivable based on historical experience. Additionally, an allowance is made based on an assessment of specific customers’ financial condition and liquidity. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, additional allowances may be required.

F-11


(h)        Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss tax carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

(i)        Accounting for Warranties

The Company issues a standard warranty of one to two years for parts and labor on lasers that are sold. Additionally, extended warranties are negotiated on a contract-by-contract basis. The Company provides for estimated warranty costs as products are shipped.

The Company’s estimate of costs to fulfill its warranty obligations is based on historical experience and expectation of future conditions. To the extent the Company experiences increased warranty claim activity or increased costs associated with servicing those claims, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.

(j)        Foreign Currency Translation

The assets and liabilities of the Company’s operations outside the United States are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are translated using a weighted average exchange rate during the period. Gains or losses resulting from the translation of foreign currency financial statements are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in net income.

(k)        Earnings per Share (EPS)

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution from common stock equivalents (stock options).

(l)        Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, minimum pension liability, and fair value of interest rate swap agreements, and is presented in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income. Accumulated other comprehensive income is comprised of the following:

      September 30,  
      2007       2006  
Foreign currency translation adjustment   $ 42,214              $ 16,360  
Minimum pension liability (net of tax effect of $300 in 2006)     --       ( 479 )
Defined benefit pension plan     (469 )        
 
Fair value of interest swap agreements (net of tax effect of $176 in 2007     303       265  
     and $154 in 2006)                
Total accumulated other comprehensive income   $           41,748     $                16,146  

(m)        Research and Development Expenses

Research and development costs are expensed when incurred and are net of German government and European grants of $2,339, $1,193, and $ 895 received for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. The Company has no future obligations under such grants.

F-12


(n)        Financial Instruments

The fair value of financial instruments, consisting principally of cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and line of credits, approximate carrying value due to the short-term nature of such instruments. The fair value of long-term debt approximates the carrying value due to the variable based interest on such debt. The fair values of interest rate swap agreements were estimated by discounting expected cash flows using market interest rates over the remaining term of the instrument.

(o)        Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage funding costs and exposures arising from fluctuations in interest rates. These derivative financial instruments consist primarily of interest rate swaps. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities” and SFAS No. 138, “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activity, an Amendment of SFAS 133” require that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at their respective fair values and that changes in the derivative instruments’ fair value be recognized in earnings. On the date the derivative contract is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as a hedge of the variability of cash flows to be paid related to a recognized liability (“cash flow” hedge). Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge are recorded in other comprehensive income, until earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the designated hedged item.

Interest rate swap agreements designated as hedges of the Company’s financial liabilities are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Adjustments to the fair value of the derivative asset or liability are recorded as an adjustment to other comprehensive income.

From time to time, the Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts and forward exchange options generally of less than one year duration to hedge a portion of its sales transactions denominated in foreign currencies. At September 30, 2007, the Company held Japanese yen forward exchange options with notional amounts of Euro 1.0 million, Japanese yen forward exchange options with notional amount of $0.5 million, and Great Britain pound forward Exchange options with notional amount of $0.3 million.

The Company manages exposure to counterparty credit risk by entering into derivative financial instruments with highly rated institutions that can be expected to fully perform under the terms of such agreements.

(p)        Operating Leases

The Company leases facilities under operating leases. Building lease agreements generally include rent escalation clauses. Most of the Company’s lease agreements include renewal periods at the Company’s option. The Company recognizes scheduled rent increases on a straight-line basis over the lease term beginning with the date the Company takes possession of the leased space.

(q)        Use of Estimates

Management of the Company makes a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reporting of revenues and expenses, to prepare these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted U.S. accounting principles. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the valuation allowance for receivables, inventory valuation, warranty liabilities, and assets and obligations related to employee benefits. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

(r)        Stock Incentive Plans

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment”, as a replacement to SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”. SFAS No. 123R supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, which allowed companies to use the intrinsic method of valuing share-based payment transactions. SFAS No. 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on the fair-value method as

F-13


defined in SFAS No. 123. On March 29, 2005, the SEC issued SAB No. 107 to provide guidance regarding the adoption of SFAS No. 123R and disclosures in Management’s Discussion and Analysis. The effective date of SFAS No. 123R was modified by SAB No. 107 to begin with the first annual reporting period of the registrant’s first fiscal year beginning on or after June 15, 2005. Accordingly, the Company implemented SFAS No. 123R effective October 1, 2005. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation costs were reported as operating cash flows. SFAS No. 123R requires excess tax benefits to be reported as a financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid.

Previously the Company measured compensation expense for its stock-based employee compensation plans using the intrinsic value method prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25, as permitted by SFAS No. 123 and SFAS No. 148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure”. Had the fair value-based method under SFAS No. 123 been applied, compensation expense would have been recorded for the options outstanding based on their respective vesting schedules.

(s)        Shipping and Handling Costs

The Company accounts for shipping and handling costs in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 00-10, “Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs”. In accordance with EITF No. 00-10, revenue received from shipping and handling fees is reflected in net sales.

(t)        Reclassifications

Certain balances from 2006 and 2005 have been reclassified to conform with the current presentation.

The Company has decided to present the gross purchases and gross sales of short-term investments in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and has reclassified 2006 and 2005 presentation to be consistent with the current period presentation. The Company has supplied this information based on actual purchases and sales of short-term investments and not on rate resets of held investments.

(u)        New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes detailed guidance for the financial statement recognition, measurement and disclosure of uncertain tax positions recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the effective date to be recognized upon the adoption of FIN 48 and in subsequent periods. FIN 48 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 (our fiscal year 2008) and the provisions of FIN 48 will be applied to all tax positions under Statement No. 109 upon initial adoption. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of this interpretation will be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of FIN 48 on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The changes to current practice resulting from the application of this Statement relate to the definition of fair value, the methods used to measure fair value, and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. The Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not believe that the adoption of the provisions of SFAS No. 157 will materially impact our financial position and results of operations.

In February 2007 the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of SFAS 159.

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2.      INVENTORIES

Inventories are summarized as follows:

        September 30,
        2007     2006
  Finished goods   $ 19,630   $ 16,510
  Work in progress     33,043     30,160
  Raw materials and supplies     43,103     38,097
  Demo inventory     15,170     11,900
  Service parts     24,860     20,298
  Total inventories   $ 135,806   $ 116,965
 
 
 
3.      PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT      
 
Property and equipment include the following:            
 
        September 30,
        2007     2006
  Buildings   $ 33,766   $ 29,352
  Technical machinery and equipment     27,385     20,442
  Construction in progress     1,487     951
  Furniture and fixtures     17,405     13,660
  Computers and software     8,357     7,145
  Leasehold improvements     7,179     6,353
  Total property and equipment, at cost   $ 95,579   $ 77,903
 
 
 
4.      GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS      

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended September 30, 2007, and 2006, are as follows:

      Germany     United States     Other     Total
Balance as of September 30, 2005   $ 38,559   $ 9,742   $ 13,192   $ 61,493
   Additional goodwill from acquisitions     --     --     504     504
   Currency exchange difference     1,812     138     669     2,619
Balance as of September 30, 2006   $ 40,371   $ 9,880   $ 14,365   $ 64,616
   Additional goodwill from acquisitions     773     --     7,829     8,602
   Currency exchange difference     4,426     338     1,632     6,396
Balance as of September 30, 2007   $           45,570            $           10,218            $           23,826            $           79,614

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The carrying values of other intangible assets are as follows:

   
September 30, 2007
 
September 30, 2006
               
Gross
     
   
Gross Carrying
 
Accumulated
 
Carrying
 
Accumulated
   
Amount
 
Amortization
 
Amount
 
Amortization
Amortized intangible assets:                        
       Patents   $ 8,468  
$
3,723   $ 7,580  
$
2,826
       Customer base     14,756     12,334     13,856     9,321
       Other     11,780     7,565     4,360     3,428
       Total   $ 35,004  
$
23,622   $ 25,796  
$
15,575

Patents are amortized over the life of the patent which ranges from 1 to 20 years. Customer base is amortized on a straight-line basis over seven years. Amortization expense for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005, was $4,251, $3,532, $5,270, respectively. At September 30, 2007, estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on the average exchange rates as of September 30, 2007, are as follows:

  2008  
$
3,800
  2009     3,100
  2010     1,200
  2011     1,000
  2012     800

5.      ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accrued liabilities are comprised of the following:

     
September 30,
     
2007
 
2006
  Employee compensation   $ 20,611   $ 18,300
  Warranty reserves     12,269     11,754
  Other taxes payable     252     497
  Customer deposits     12,933     12,349
  Other     15,808     12,316
  Total accrued liabilities   $ 61,873   $ 55,216

The Company provides for the estimated costs of product warranties when revenue is recognized. The estimate of costs to fulfill warranty obligations is based on historical experience and expectation of future conditions. The change in warranty reserves for the years ended September 30, 2007, and 2006, is as follows:

Balance at September 30, 2005       $ 10,836  
     Additional accruals for warranties during the period         6,881  
     Usage during the period         (6,453 )
     Currency translation         490  
Balance at September 30, 2006       $ 11,754  
     Additional accruals for warranties during the period         5,323  
     Usage during the period         (5,983 )
     Currency translation         1,175  
Balance at September 30, 2007       $ 12,269  

F-16


6.      LINES OF CREDIT

The Company maintains a $25,000 annually renewable line of credit with Deutsche Bank AG to support its working capital needs. As of September 30, 2007 and 2006, $8,693 and $3,425, respectively, were outstanding under this loan facility as a result of borrowings by Rofin-Baasel Japan Corp., Rofin-Baasel Italiana S.r.l., and Carl Baasel Lasertechnik GmbH & Co.KG at an average fixed interest rate of 3.1% for fiscal year 2007 and 2.6% for fiscal year 2006.

In addition, the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries have several lines of credit, which allow them to borrow in the applicable local currency. At September 30, 2007 and 2006, direct borrowings under these agreements totaled $19,259 and $13,902, respectively. The remaining unused portion of the lines of credit at September 30, 2007, was $66,677, in aggregate. Fixed interest rates vary from 1.2% to 6.5%, depending upon the country and usage of the available credit.

The Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements for a total notional amount of Euro 13,000 (equivalent to $18,440 based on the exchange rate at September 30, 2007) to minimize exposure to fluctuation of interest rates on short-term debt on which the interest rate is reset every six months.

The remaining portion of the financing of the acquisition of CBL and its existing debt was fully repaid in 2006.

7.      LONG-TERM DEBT

RSL maintains additional long-term credit facilities of $3,546, which expire in 2009, and $1,773, which expire in 2010. Corelase maintains long-term credit facilities of $841 which expire in 2010, $1,188 which expire in 2011, $1,580 which expire in 2012, $567 which expire in 2014, $2,553 which expire in 2015, and $591 which expire in 2016. As of September 30, 2007, $12,639 was borrowed under such facilities at an average interest rate of 5.2% . As of September 30, 2006, $18,089 was borrowed under such facilities at an average interest rate of 3.4% .

8.      LEASE COMMITMENTS

The Company leases operating facilities and equipment under operating leases, which expire at various dates through 2017 (see note 12). The lease agreements require payment of real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses by the Company.

Minimum lease payments for future fiscal years under non-cancelable operating leases as of September 30, 2007, are:

                     Fiscal year ending September 30,  
Total
2008   $ 7,163  
2009     5,558  
2010     3,828  
2011     2,780  
2012     1,965  
2013 and thereafter     9,174  

Rent expense charged to operations for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005, approximated $7,432, $6,652, and $7,320, respectively.

F-17


9.      INCOME TAXES

Total income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005, were allocated as follows:

   
Years ended September 30,
   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
                 Income taxes from operations  
$
31,838    
$
27,041    
$
20,595  
                 Stockholders’ equity;                        
                 Tax benefit applicable to the exercise of                        
                           stock options     (174 )     (323 )     (1,420 )
                 Tax (benefit) expense applicable to the                        
                           additional minimum pension obligation     316       470       (746 )
                 Tax benefit applicable to defined benefit                        
                           pension plan     (353 )     --       --  
                 Tax expense applicable to the fair value of                        
                           interest swap agreements     23       116       176  
 
                 Total income tax  
$
31,650    
$
27,304    
$
18,605  
 
Income before income taxes is attributable to the following geographic regions:                  
 
   
Years ended September 30,
   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
                 United States   $ 5,132     $ 12,989     $ 12,037  
                 Germany     68,587       51,137       38,343  
                 France     852       402       945  
                 Italy     2,119       1,707       1,118  
                 Japan     223       565       889  
                 United Kingdom     3,809       3,373       1,389  
                 Singapore     2,649       2,536       1,906  
                 Other     3,744       3,955       1,943  
                 Total income before income taxes   $ 87,115     $ 76,664     $ 58,570  
 
 
Income tax expense is comprised of the following amounts:
 
   
Years ended September 30,
   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
                 Current:                        
                               United States   $ 3,063     $ 5,212     $ 4,326  
                               Foreign     31,450       25,909       19,956  
                                           Total current     34,513       31,121       24,282  
                 Deferred:                        
                               United States     (807 )     (2,018 )     (1,473 )
                               Foreign     (1,868 )     (2,062 )     (2,214 )
                                           Total deferred     (2,675 )     (4,080 )     (3,687 )
                                           Total income tax expense   $ 31,838     $ 27,041     $ 20,595  

Statutory tax rates in the U.S., U.K., Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore, Japan, Finland, Taiwan, South Korea, China, and Canada approximate 35%, 30%, 37.25%, 33.33%, 35%, 33.99%, 26.6%, 28%, 26%, 18%, 39.96%, 32.50%, 25.34%, 15%, and 34%, respectively. Generally, in Germany retained corporate income is subject to a municipal trade tax (which approximates 17%), which is deductible for German federal corporate income tax purposes, a federal corporate income tax of 25% and a surcharge of 5.5% on the federal corporate income tax amount.

F-18


The difference between actual income tax expense and the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate is as follows:

   
Years ended September 30,
   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
U.S. federal statutory tax rate     35 %     35 %     34 %
 
Computed “expected” tax expense   $ 30,490     $ 26,833     $ 19,914  
Difference between U.S. and foreign statutory rates     2,117       1,398       1,813  
Minority interest and other permanent differences     652       89       114  
Adjustment of valuation allowance     (7 )     (2,112 )     (1,045 )
Change in statutory tax rates     (415 )     --       --  
Other     (999 )     833       (201 )
Actual tax expense   $ 31,838     $ 27,041     $ 20,595  

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the net deferred taxes are as follows:

   
September 30,
   
2007
 
2006
Deferred income tax assets:
               
       Foreign                
               Net operating loss carryforwards   $ 2,150  
$ 521  
               Pension obligations     980       1,150  
               Inventories     4,182       2,673  
               Accrued liabilities     --       283  
               Other     330       342  
                       Total Foreign     7,642       4,969  
       United States:                
               Net operating loss carryforwards     119       427  
               Warranty reserve     474       537  
               Inventories     3,792       3,948  
               Allowance for doubtful accounts     276       286  
               Accrued liabilities     641       411  
               Pension obligations     362       249  
               Stock-based compensation expense     639       266  
               Other     62       217  
                       Total United States     6,365       6,341  
               Gross deferred income tax assets     14,007       11,310  
               Less: Valuation allowance     (10 )     (17 )
                       Net deferred income tax assets   $ 13,997     $ 11,293  
Deferred income tax liabilities:
               
       Foreign:                
               Property and equipment     (1,620 )     (1,689 )
               Accrued liabilities     --       --  
               Accounts receivable     --       --  
               Accounts payable     --       --  
               Intangibles     (1,490 )     (1,416 )
               Other     (273 )     (849 )
 
                       Total Foreign     (3,383 )     (3,954 )
       United States:                
               Property & equipment     (407 )     (402 )
               Intangibles     (859 )     (1,366 )
                       Total United States     (1,266 )     (1,768 )
               Gross deferred income tax liabilities     (4,649 )     (5,722 )
               Net deferred income tax assets   $ 9,348     $ 5,571  

F-19


The total deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as follows:

   
September 30,
   
2007
 
2006
Deferred income tax assets – current   $ 10,340     $ 9,974  
Deferred income tax assets – non current     3,291       1,818  
Deferred income tax liabilities – current     (38 )       (874 )
Deferred income tax liabilities – non current     (4,245 )     (5,347 )
          Net deferred income tax assets   $ 9,348     $ 5,571  

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the existing valuation allowances at September 30, 2006. The Company had established a valuation allowance related to net operating loss carryforwards at RB Inc. due to uncertainty regarding RB Inc.’s ability to generate future taxable income required to utilize these carryforwards. The valuation allowance decreased in fiscal years 2007 and 2006 by $7 and $2,112, respectively due to actual profits and changes in management’s assumptions about the future profitability of RB Inc. and utilization of the net operating loss carryforward.

At September 30, 2007, the Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards available of $119 in the United States (which expire as follows: $58 in 2024; $16 in 2025; $37 in 2026, and $8 in 2027) $6,776 in Finland (which expire as follows: $140 in 2013, $331 in 2014, $1,319 in 2015, $2,346 in 2016, and $2,640 in 2017), and $576 in Germany, and $252 in Spain, and $470 in UK (which have no expiration date). The annual utilization by the Company of its U.S. net operating loss carryforwards will be subject to certain annual limitations under Section 382 of the “Internal Revenue Code”.

The Company does not provide for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries because these earnings are intended to be permanently reinvested in those operations. Earnings may become taxable upon an actual or deemed repatriation of assets from the subsidiaries or a sale or liquidation of the subsidiaries. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability for these undistributed earnings.

10.      EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has defined benefit pension plans for the RSL and RS Inc. employees. The Company’s U.S. plan began in fiscal year 1995 and is funded. Any new employees hired after January 1, 2005 are not eligible for the RSI pension plan. As is the normal practice with German companies, the German pension plan is unfunded. Any new employees, hired after the acquisition of CBL, are not eligible for the RSL pension plan. The measurement date of the Company’s pension plans is September 30.

The determination of the Company’s obligation and expense for pension is dependent on the selection of certain assumptions used by actuaries in calculating those amounts. Assumptions are made about interest rates, expected investment return on plan assets, total turnover rates, and rates of future compensation increases. In addition, the Company’s actuarial consultants use subjective factors such as withdrawal rates and mortality rates to develop their calculations of these amounts. The Company generally reviews these assumptions at the beginning of each fiscal year. The Company is required to consider current market conditions, including changes in interest rates, in making these assumptions. The actuarial assumptions that the Company uses may differ materially from actual results due to changing market and economic conditions, higher or lower withdrawal rates or longer or shorter life spans of participants. These differences may result in a significant impact on the amount of pension benefits expense the Company has recorded or may record.

F-20


The discount rate enables the Company to state expected future cash flows at a present value on the measurement date. The Company has little latitude in selecting this rate and it must represent the market rate of high-quality fixed income investments. A lower discount rate increases the present value of benefit obligations and increases pension expense.

To determine the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the Company considers the current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected returns on various categories of plan assets.

The following table sets forth the funded status of the plans at the balance sheet dates:

   
September 30,
   
2007
 
2006
Change in benefit obligation:                
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year  
$
16,496    
$
16,013  
Service cost     769       719  
Interest cost     835       727  
Actuarial (gains) losses     (636 )     (1,291 )
Amortization of unrecognized gains/losses     (114 )     102  
Foreign exchange rate changes     1,365       436  
Benefits paid     (252 )     (210 )
Projected benefit obligation at end of year     18,463       16,496  
Change in plan assets:                
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year     4,021       3,649  
Actual return on plan assets     562       191  
Employer contributions     450       275  
Benefits paid     (88 )     (94 )
Fair value of plan assets at end of year     4,945       4,021  
 
Funded status     (13,518 )     (12,475 )
Unrecognized net actuarial loss     --       1,959  
Unrecognized prior service cost     --       --  
Additional minimum liability     --       (779 )
Accrued benefit cost  
$
(13,518 )*  
$
(11,295 )
 
   
September 30,
   
2007
 
2006
 
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year  
$
16,537    
$
15,012  
Discount rate:                
       United States     6.0 %     5.3 %
       Foreign     5.4 %     4.5 %
Expected return on plan assets –                
         United States only     8.5 %     8.0 %
Rate of compensation increase                
       United States     3.0 %     2.0 %
       Foreign     2.0 %     1.3 %
                 

* $194 relate to expected payments in the following twelve month and were therefore reclassified to “accrued liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2007.

A minimum pension liability adjustment is required when the accumulated benefit obligation exceeds plan assets and accrued pension liabilities. The minimum liability adjustment, net of tax benefit, is reported as a component of other comprehensive income included in stockholders’ equity. The amount recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax benefit, was non at September 30, 2007 and $479 at September 30, 2006. The accumulated benefit obligation for the pension plan with an accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets and accrued pension liability was $11,514 as if September 30, 2007 and $10,501 as of September 30, 2006.

F-21


SFAS 158 was effective for the Company for the year ended September 30, 2007. This Statement requires the recognition of an entity’s over (under)funded status of defined benefit plans in the statement of financial position. This Statement also requires recognition in other comprehensive income of certain gains and losses that arise during the period but are deferred under current pension accounting rules. On September 30, 2007, the Company recognized the net underfunded status of its defined benefit pension plans in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The incremental effect of adopting SFAS No. 158 on the Company’s financial statements at September 30, 2007 decreased accumulated other comprehensive income by approximately $769 net of tax.

The following table reflects the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 158 on our Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2007:

 
Before
         
After
 
Application
         
Application
 
Of SFAS No. 158
 
Adjustments
 
Of SFAS No. 158
Pension obligations $ 11,173   $ 2,151     $ 13,324
Deferred income tax assets, non-current   3,951     (660 )     3,291
Accumulated other comprehensive Income (loss) $ 43,239   $ (1,491 )   $ 41,748

The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost for the respective fiscal years:

   
Years ended September 30,
   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
Service cost  
$
769    
$
719    
$
566  
Interest cost     835       727       680  
Expected return on plan assets     ( 324 )     ( 297 )     ( 272 )
Amortization of prior service cost     --       25       63  
Net periodic benefit cost  
$
1,280    
$
1,174    
$
1,037  

RS Inc. had a minimum required contribution to its defined pension plans of approximately $0.4 million for the fiscal 2006 plan year, which it made in fiscal year 2007. The Company has not determined whether it will make additional voluntary contributions for this plan.

Expected benefit payments for each of the next five fiscal years and for the five years aggregated thereafter is as follows: $278 in 2008, $450 in 2009, $565 in 2010, $600 in 2011, $706 in 2012, and $4,417 thereafter.

The Company’s pension plan allocations at September 30, 2007 and 2006, by asset category are as follows:

   
2007
 
2006
   
Dollar Value
 
Percentage
 
Dollar Value
 
Percentage
Money Market Funds  
$
662     13 %  
$
635     15 %
Stocks     3,407     69 %     2,646     65 %
Government Securities     876     18 %     740     20 %
Total plan assets  
$
4,945     100 %  
$
4,021     100 %

The Company employs a total return investment approach whereby a mix of stocks and government securities are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. The intent of this strategy is to minimize plan expenses by maximizing investment returns within that prudent level of risk. Furthermore, equity investments are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks as well as growth, value, and small and large capitalizations. Additionally, cash balances are maintained at levels adequate to meet near term plan expenses and benefit payments. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through semi-annual investment portfolio reviews.

RS Inc., RB Inc., PRC, Lee Laser, Rofin-Baasel Canada Ltd., and Dilas Diodelaser Inc. have 401(k) plans for the benefit of all eligible U.S. employees, as defined by the plan. Participating employees may contribute up to 16% of their qualified annual compensation. Those subsidiaries match 50% of the first 5 to 6% of the employees’ compensation contributed as a salary deferral. Company contributions for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005, were $527, $374, and $406, respectively.

F-22


11.      EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The calculation of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each period is as follows:

    Years ended September 30,
    2007   2006   2005
Weighted number of shares for basic earnings per            
         common share   15,487,682   15,283,817   15,071,692
Potential additional shares due to outstanding dilutive            
         stock options   415,545   403,075   489,314
Weighted number of shares for diluted earnings per            
         common share   15,903,227   15,686,892   15,561,006

12.       RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company had sales to its minority shareholder in Japan amounting to $1,303, $1,755, and $1,128, in fiscal years 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. As of September 30, 2007 and 2006, the accounts receivable with the minority shareholder in Japan amounted to $553 and $1,157, respectively.

The remaining accounts receivables to related party of $10 at September 30, 2007 are with the minority shareholder in Sweden.

RSL paid commissions to its minority shareholder of Rofin-Baasel China of $284 in fiscal 2006. No balances were outstanding as of September 30, 2006 and 2007.

The Company has accrued $342 at September 30, 2007, for the option to purchase the remaining minority interests in m2k and $39 were accrued to accumulated interest on this obligation as of September 30, 2007. In fiscal 2007 the Company purchased a license and material amounting to $498 from the minority shareholder of m2k. As of September 30, 2007, the accounts payables with the minority shareholder of m2k amounts to $74 and are included in accounts payable to related party in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

The main facility in Starnberg is rented under a 25-year operating lease from the former minority shareholder of CBL Mr. Baasel, who is also a member of the board of directors of the Company, and includes a clause to terminate the lease contract within a two-year notice period during the contract. The Company paid rent expense of $707, $644, and $645, to Mr. Baasel during fiscal years 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

The Company has accrued $142 and $127 at September 30, 2007 and 2006, for the option to purchase the remaining minority interests in Optoskand AB and $103 and $135 were accrued to accumulated interest on this obligation as of September 30, 2007 and 2006. In addition the Company has accrued $521 and $31 at September 30, 2007 and 2006 based on an earn-out agreement with the minority shareholder of Optoskand. These amounts are included in accounts payable to related party in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

13.       GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The Company manages its business under geographic regions that are aggregated together as one segment in the global industrial laser industry. Sales from these regions have similar long-term financial performance and economic characteristics. The products from these regions utilize similar manufacturing processes and use similar production equipment, which may be interchanged from group to group. The Company distributes, sells and services final product to the same type of customers from all regions.

F-23


Assets, revenues, and income before taxes, by geographic region are summarized below:

ASSETS

   
September 30,
   
2007
 
2006
North America   $ 248,912     $ 233,379  
Germany     391,081       309,324  
Other     187,991       157,499  
Intercompany eliminations     (201,760 )     (198,681 )
Total assets   $ 626,234     $ 501,521  

REVENUES - TOTAL BUSINESS

   
Years ended September 30,
   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
North America   $ 117,405     $ 130,374     $ 111,581  
Germany     382,415       313,576       286,619  
Other     161,881       140,561       125,227  
Intercompany eliminations     (182,026 )     (163,621 )     (148,236 )
    $ 479,675     $ 420,890     $ 375,191  

INTERCOMPANY REVENUES

   
Years ended September 30,
      2007       2006       2005  
North America   $ 4,800     $ 3,874     $ 3,027  
Germany     143,199       125,944       121,118  
Other     34,027       33,803       24,091  
Intercompany eliminations     ( 182,026 )     ( 163,621 )     ( 148,236 )
    $ --     $ --     $ --  

EXTERNAL REVENUES

     
Years ended September 30,
 
      2007       2006       2005  
North America   $ 112,605     $ 126,500     $ 108,554  
Germany     239,216       187,632       165,501  
Other     127,854       106,758       101,136  
    $ 479,675     $ 420,890     $ 375,191  

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     
Years ended September 30,
 
      2007       2006       2005  
North America   $ 5,132     $ 12,947     $ 12,037  
Germany     68,586       51,137       38,343  
Other     13,397       12,580       8,190  
    $ 87,115     $ 76,664     $ 58,570  

F-24


14.       ENTERPRISE WIDE INFORMATION

The Company derives revenues from the sale and servicing of laser products used for macro applications, from the sale and servicing of laser products for marking and micro applications, and from the sale of components products. Product sales are summarized below:

    September 30,
Product Category  
2007
2006
2005
    (in thousands)
 
Laser macro products   $ 205,772   $ 172,959   $ 161,536
Laser marking and micro products     231,920     213,632     185,950
Components     41,983     34,299     27,705
    $ 479,675   $ 420,890   $ 375,191

15.       SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

The following represents the Company’s quarterly results (millions of dollars, except per share amounts):

   
Quarters ended
   
Dec. 31,
March 31,
June 30,
Sept. 30,
   
2006
2007
2007
2007
Net sales   $ 111.7   $ 116.1   $ 121.4   $ 130.5
Gross profit     45.9    
49.2
    51.7     56.4
Net income     11.5    
13.1
    14.3     16.4
Earnings per share – Basic     0.75    
0.85
    0.92     1.06
Earnings per share – Diluted     0.73    
0.83
    0.90     1.03
 
 
   
Quarters ended
   
Dec. 31,
March 31,
June 30,
Sept. 30,
   
2005
2006
2006
2006
Net sales   $ 95.4   $ 99.8   $ 109.6   $ 116.1
Gross profit     40.8     43.5     46.9     47.1
Net income     11.3     11.7     12.9     13.7
Earnings per share – Basic     0.75     0.76     0.84     0.89
Earnings per share – Diluted     0.73     0.75     0.82     0.87

16.       STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS

Effective March 15, 2008, the stockholders approved the Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. 2007 Incentive Stock Plan (“the 2007 Incentive Plan”). The 2007 Incentive Plan supersedes the Rofin-Technologies Inc. 1996 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Plan and the Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc 2002 Equity Incentive Plan. Under the 2007 Incentive Plan, the Company has reserved 1,600,000 shares of common stock to provide for the grant of options to purchase Common Stock (“options”), grants of shares of Common Stock (“stock grants”), stock units, and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to certain eligible employees and to outside directors. During fiscal year 2007, outside directors each received 1,500 shares of common stock and 300,000 non-qualified stock options were granted to officers and other key employees. The terms of these issuances are the same as those described below.

F-25


Directors’ Plan

The Company had reserved 100,000 shares of common stock for the Directors’ Plan, which covered non-employee members of the Board of Directors. Under this plan each member of the Board of Directors who was not an employee of the Company and who was elected or continued as a member of the Board of Directors was entitled to receive an initial grant of 1,500 shares of common stock and thereafter an annual grant of 1,500 shares of common stock. The Directors’ Plan also provided that non-employee directors aged 65 or older, upon their appointment or election to the Board of Directors, will receive, in lieu of such initial and annual grants of shares of common stock, 7,500 shares of restricted stock which shall vest in five equal installments on the date of grant and each of the following four anniversaries thereof. Prior to vesting, no shares of restricted stock may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, encumbered or otherwise disposed of, subject to certain exceptions. The Company records compensation expense based on the fair market value of the common stock, as determined by the closing price at the date of issuance. A total of 40,500 shares are issued and outstanding under the plan at September 30, 2006. On March 15, 2008, this Plan was superseded by the 2007 Incentive Plan, as discussed above.

Equity Incentive Plan

The Company also maintained an Equity Incentive Plan, whereby incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock and performance shares were granted to officers and other key employees to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock at a price not less than the fair market value on the date of grant. The term of the Equity Incentive Plan continues through 2011. There were no incentive stock options, restricted stock or performance shares granted in fiscal years 2006, 2005, or 2004. Non-qualified stock options were granted to officers and other key employees in fiscal years 2006, 2005, and 2004. Options generally vest over five years and expire not later than ten years after the date on which they are granted. On March 15, 2008, this Plan was superseded by the 2007 Incentive Plan, as discussed above.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment”, as a replacement to SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”. SFAS No. 123R supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, which allowed companies to use the intrinsic method of valuing share-based payment transactions. SFAS No. 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on the fair-value method as defined in SFAS No. 123. On March 29, 2005, the SEC issued SAB No. 107 to provide guidance regarding the adoption of SFAS No. 123R and disclosures in Management’s Discussion and Analysis. The effective date of SFAS No. 123R was modified by SAB No. 107 to begin with the first annual reporting period of the registrant’s first fiscal year beginning on or after June 15, 2005. Accordingly, the Company implemented SFAS No. 123R effective October 1, 2005. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation costs were reported as operating cash flows. SFAS No. 123R requires excess tax benefits to be reported as a financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid.

Previously the Company measured compensation expense for its stock-based employee compensation plans using the intrinsic value method prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25, as permitted by SFAS No. 123 and SFAS No. 148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure”. Had the fair value-based method under SFAS No. 123 been applied, compensation expense would have been recorded for the options outstanding based on their respective vesting schedules.

F-26


The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share in 2005 as if the fair value based method under SFAS No. 123 had been applied to all outstanding vested and unvested awards in those periods :

      Year ended  
      September 30,  
      2005  
Net Income - as reported   $ 37,975  
Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported        
income, net of related tax benefits     176  
Deduct: Total stock compensation expense determined under        
the fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects     (1,521 )
    $ 36,630  
Basic earnings per share:        
     As reported   $ 2.52  
     Pro-forma   $ 2.43  
Diluted earnings per share:        
     As reported   $ 2.44  
     Pro-forma   $ 2.35  

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model.

The following assumptions were used in the determination of compensation cost under the provisions of SFAS No. 123 for the three years ended September 30, 2007:

              September 30,          
      2007       2006       2005  
      Grants       Grants        Grants  
Weighted average grant date fair value   $ 57.00     $ 26.51     $ 15.41  
Expected life     5.4 Years       5 Years       5 Years  
Volatility     50.0 %     50.0 %     50.0 %
Risk-free interest rate     4.47 %     4.61 %     3.74 %
Dividend yield     0 %     0 %     0 %
Annual forfeiture rate     1.04 %     1.09 %     1.09 %

The Company uses historical data to estimate the expected life, volatility, and estimated forfeitures of an option. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

The balance of outstanding stock options and all options activity for the three year period ended September 30, 2007, are as follows:

                  Weighted Average      
          Weighted   Remaining   Aggregate
    Number of   Average   Contractual Term   Intrinsic Value
    Shares   Exercise Price   (Years)   (Millions)
Balance at September 30, 2004   1,130,650     $ 15 6/7   7.51   $ 15.3
Granted   379,000     $ 34 1/7          
Exercised   (186,850 )   $ 11 7/9          
Forfeited   ( 33,200 )   $ 16 1/6          
Balance at September 30, 2005   1,289,600     $ 21 3/5   7.54   $ 21.1
Granted   292,250     $ 52 1/5          
Exercised   (249,550 )   $ 14 7/8          
Forfeited   ( 14,600 )   $ 13 5/8          
Balance at September 30, 2006   1,317,700     $ 29 ¾   7.41   $ 40.9
Granted   300,000     $ 57            
Exercised   (185,000 )   $ 20            
Forfeited   ( 20,600 )   $ 28            
Balance at September 30, 2007   1,412,000     $ 36 6/7   7.22   $ 47.1
 
Exercisable at September 30, 2007   532,700     $ 22 1/3   5.56   $ 25.5

F-27


As of September 30, 2006, there was $13.4 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.62 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005 was $3.9 million, $2.7 million, and $1.7 million respectively.

              Years ended September 30,          
      2007       2006       2005  
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised   $    8.4     $ 8.6     $      4.6  

Cash received from stock option exercises for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $3.7 million, $3.7 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

17.       SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

SHARE SPLIT AND BUYBACK PROGRAM

The Board of Directors approved a 2-for-1 stock split and a stock buyback plan. The stock split will be in the form of a dividend of one share of Common Stock on each outstanding share and the distribution date will be December 5, 2007, for shareholders of record as of November 22, 2007. The buyback program authorizes the repurchase of up to $120 million of the Company’s Common Stock, or approximately 10% of the shares of Common Stock currently outstanding based on current market prices. The share buyback program is authorized to begin November 15, 2007. The shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions at the Company’s discretion, including the quantity, timing and price thereof.

F-28


SCHEDULE II

ROFIN-SINAR TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005
(dollars in thousands)

   
Balance at
Charged to
   
Beginning of
Acquired
Costs and
Additions
Balance at End of
   
Period
Reserve
Expenses
(Deductions)
Period
September 30, 2005   $ 2,519   $ --   $ ( 29 )   $ ( 92 )   $ 2,398
September 30, 2006   $ 2,398   $ --   $ 642    
$
( 384 )   $ 2,656
September 30, 2007   $ 2,656   $ 6   $ 1,582    
$
( 1,038 )   $ 3,206

F-29


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.   Exhibit
 
21.1   List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant
     
23.1   Consent of KPMG, LLP Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
     
23.2   Consent of Deloitte & Touche, LLP Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
     
31.1   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
     
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
     
32.1   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
     
32.2   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer