BTU International Accelerates Growth of Its Solar Energy Equipment Business

In a move that signals the company's commitment to rapidly grow its solar energy business, BTU International Inc. announced several initiatives, including the formation of a new Business Group for its Alternative Energy equipment business, the addition of key talent, and the establishment of international solar research and process application centers.

According to BTU, its 15 over years of experience in providing thermal processing systems used to manufacture solar cells makes the company well positioned to take advantage of the rapid expansion occurring in both silicon and thin film solar energy markets. "The increasing use of solar power as a clean, renewable energy source provides an excellent opportunity for us to grow our solar equipment business," said BTU Chairman and CEO Paul J van der Wansem. "We are strengthening our organization in a variety of ways beginning with the formation of a new Business Group for Alternative Energy under the leadership of two new executives with excellent experience and managerial talent."

John J McCaffrey Jr has joined BTU as Vice President of Alternative Energy, in charge of engineering and product development while Douglas A Lawson joined the company as Vice President of Alternative Energy in charge of marketing and business development. His primary responsibilities will focus on growing the company's Alternative Energy business.

In addition to the creation of the Alternative Energy Group, the company is building two new solar research and process application laboratories--one in Billerica, Massachusetts and one in Shanghai, China. These laboratories will be used to develop new solar process capabilities and provide an environment where customers can test and process their photovoltaic cells on BTU systems. The Shanghai lab is scheduled to open next month, while the Billerica lab is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year, the company said.

"With the establishment of the Alternative Energy Group, BTU has made a clear commitment to grow our energy business," said van der Wansem, "We are taking steps now to make sure we succeed in the future by winning a larger share of this exciting, rapidly expanding market. Both Jack and Doug will play a critical leadership role in our growth plans. They, along with our whole alternative energy team, are focused on doing what we need to do to win."

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