NORTH BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 27, 2009--BTU International, Inc. (Nasdaq: BTUI), a leading supplier of advanced thermal processing equipment and processes to the alternative energy and electronics manufacturing markets, today announced its financial results for the third quarter, which ended on September 27, 2009.

Third quarter net sales were $12.4 million, up 15 percent compared to $10.8 million in the preceding quarter, and down 40 percent compared to $20.6 million for the same quarter a year ago. Net loss for the third quarter of 2009 was $2.6 million, or a loss of $0.29 per basic share, compared to a net loss of $3.5 million, or a loss of $0.38 per basic share, in the preceding quarter, and compared to net income of $0.7 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008.

Net sales for the first nine months of 2009 were $33.0 million compared to $57.6 million for the first nine months of 2008. Net loss for the nine months ended September 27, 2009 was $10.7 million, or a loss of $1.16 per basic share, compared to a net income of $1.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2008.

Commenting on the company’s performance, Paul J. van der Wansem, BTU chairman and CEO, said, “We are pleased to report continuing improvement in our performance. Both revenues and bottom line results improved for the second quarter in a row.

"Most of the increase in our third quarter revenues can be attributed to growth in our electronics business, which demonstrated strength in capital expenditures for both printed circuit board assembly and semiconductor packaging applications. This was especially true in China. In the energy sector we have seen continuing interest and bookings for our nuclear fuel processing equipment. The solar industry remains in a slowdown due to overcapacity and limited project financing.

"We ended the quarter with a strong balance sheet and a cash position of $24.8 million."

“It appears that the global electronics business has turned a corner, and we anticipate a further strengthening in these markets,” said van der Wansem. "Continuing to invest in solar, we have introduced a number of new products and are positioned to capitalize on what we expect to be a growth market for solar in 2010."

BTU will be discussing its financial results, along with its outlook for the fourth quarter of 2009, in a conference call to be held today, October 27, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The dial-in number to participate in the conference call is (877) 604-9668. A webcast of the conference call will be available on BTU’s website at www.btu.com. Replays of the call will be available through November 12, 2009, and can be accessed at this website or by phone at (888) 203-1112, pass code: 5518543.

BTU International is a market-leading, global supplier of advanced thermal processing equipment and processes to the alternative energy and electronics manufacturing markets. BTU equipment is used in solar cell, nuclear fuel and fuel cell manufacturing as well as in the production of printed circuit board assemblies and semiconductor packaging. BTU has operations in North Billerica, Massachusetts and Shanghai, China with direct sales and service in the U.S.A., Asia and Europe. Information about BTU International is available at www.btu.com.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This news release contains expressed or implied forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, the company's expectation of growth in the electronics markets and growth in the alternative energy markets. Such statements are neither promises nor guarantees but rather are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such statements are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions established by the federal securities laws, and are based on the assumptions and expectations of the company’s management at the time such statements are made. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ include the timely availability and acceptance of new products, general market conditions governing supply and demand, the impact of competitive products and pricing and other risks detailed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 28, 2009, and the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. Actual results may vary materially. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. All information set forth in this press release is as of October 27, 2009, and, unless otherwise required by law, the company disclaims any obligation to revise or update this information in order to reflect future events or developments.

BTU INTERNATIONAL, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 27, 2009			September 28, 2008			September 27, 2009			September 28, 2008

Net sales	$	12,409		$	20,578		$	33,023		$	57,581
Costs of goods sold		8,548			11,373			24,093			32,433

Gross profit		3,861			9,205			8,930			25,148

Operating expenses:

Selling, general and administrative		4,697			6,372			13,397			17,685
Research, development
and engineering		1,411			1,748			5,286			5,138

Operating income (loss)		(2,247	)		1,085			(9,753	)		2,325

Interest income		68			121			214			299
Interest expense		(206	)		(182	)		(504	)		(536	)
Other income (loss), net		3			(150	)		(198	)		(421	)

Income (loss) before provision
for income taxes		(2,382	)		874			(10,241	)		1,667

Provision for income taxes		238			197			419			603

Net income (loss)	$	(2,620	)	$	677		$	(10,660	)	$	1,064

Income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	(0.29	)	$	0.07		$	(1.16	)	$	0.11
Diluted	$	(0.29	)	$	0.07		$	(1.16	)	$	0.11

Weighted average number of
shares outstanding:
Basic shares		9,194,502			9,389,456			9,222,723			9,373,294
Effect of dilutive options		-			141,738			-			154,602

Diluted shares		9,194,502			9,531,194			9,222,723			9,527,896





Note - The above expenses include in 000's:

Stock-based compensation expense	$	303		$	305		$	912		$	832

BTU INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)


				September 27,		December 31,
Assets					2009		2008

Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	24,792	$	27,464
	Accounts receivable				11,414		15,450
	Inventories				15,149		19,044
	Other current assets				465		909

		Total current assets			51,820		62,867

Property, plant and equipment, net					6,311		6,886

Other assets, net					1,149		1,562

			Total assets	$	59,280	$	71,315

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

Current liabilities
	Current portion of long-term debt			$	305	$	290
	Trade accounts payable				3,994		5,058
	Other current liabilities				6,768		7,399

		Total current liabilities			11,067		12,747

Long-term debt, less current portion					8,763		8,988

			Total liabilities		19,830		21,735

		Total stockholders' equity			39,450		49,580

			Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	59,280	$	71,315

CONTACT:
Company Contact:
BTU International, Inc.
Peter Tallian, 978-667-4111
Chief Financial Officer
or
Agency Contact:
For BTU International, Inc.
Bill Monigle, 941-497-1622
IR Counsel