Filtronic cheer as technical hitches are ironed out

The Leeds-based company said that following a number of tests by a customer and a major US operator, it believes the issues have been successfully resolved.

​In January, Filtronic warned that technical issues had been encountered in ​the final testing stage of ​its​ integrated antenna product.

As a result of the issues being fixed, the group said its wireless business has won orders worth £170,000 from a major telecoms industry manufacturer for ultra wide band integrated antennae.

Filtronic’s new chief executive Rob Smith said: “The receipt of production tooling orders will enable Filtronic to bring the product into a volume manufacturing ready state.

“It is anticipated that production orders will follow the completion of the tooling orders.”

Elsewhere, the group said its broadband business is focusing on developing proprietary E-band transceiver modules for mobile telecommunications backhaul applications.

“Our latest generation E-band transceiver, Orpheus, has been demonstrated to operate at a best in class,” said Mr Smith.

“We are pleased to report that initial production orders have recently been received from a major OEM (original equipment manufacturer) for this product.”

​It added that the board is looking at ways to strengthen the company’s balance sheet and further details will be announced in due course.

Analyst Adam Lawson at Panmure Gordon said: “Filtronic has announced that it has solved previously highlighted technical issues with its integrated antenna product. This has resulted in production tooling orders for $265,000 (£170,000)​ of Ultra Wide Band integrated antennas from a major telecoms OEM.

“We are encouraged by this news, but remain cautious on the outlook given a continued lack of order visibility and a weak balance sheet.”

​Filtronic will release its full year results​ for the financial year to May 31 on September 21.​