Johnson Matthey Sales Leap 56 Percent

Johnson Matthey’s Electronics Division had sales of $335 million during the 12-month period ended March 31. The performance represents a 56 percent increase over the $215 million in sales during the previous year.

Company officials attributed the big increase to the company’s worldwide expansion during the past year.

Johnson Matthey acquired Climax Performance Materials, a tungsten powder manufacturer; opened a manufacturing operation in South Korea; established a Japanese joint venture; expanded European operations in the United Kingdom; and opened new sales and service facilities in California and the Philippines.

Johnson Matthey Electronics, headquartered in Spokane, is a leading supplier of high purity materials to the semiconductor and microelectronics industries.

Its parent company, London-based Johnson Matthey Plc., is one of the oldest and biggest suppliers of precious metals, particularly platinum, on the world market. During the 12-month period, Johnson Matthey Plc. had operating profits of $157 million on sales of almost $3.5 billion.

, DataTimes