Cognex Corporation Announces Cost-Cutting Measures

November 13, 2008 4:05 PM EST

NATICK, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ: CGNX) today announced that it has taken meaningful steps to cut expenses to help ensure that it will continue profitable operations during these difficult economic times. The reduction in expenses was accomplished through a number of different measures, the most meaningful ones of which are 1) the closing of the company's facility in Georgia scheduled for mid-2009, and 2) the elimination of 60 full-time positions (approximately 7% of its worldwide headcount), primarily in the United States. After the one-time effects of these cuts, projected savings from the actions described above are estimated to be approximately $6,000,000 on an annual basis, and are expected to be fully realizable beginning in 2010.

As a result of the actions that the company has taken, Cognex expects to record a pre-tax charge of approximately $700,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008 (this full amount was included in the guidance given by Cognex on October 29, 2008). And in the first half of 2009, Cognex expects to record an additional charge of approximately $1,700,000 related to the facility closure. The distribution center that is currently based in Georgia will be consolidated into the company's headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts.

"The actions announced today were not made easily; the individuals who were let go were all hardworking, experienced and dedicated employees; but unfortunately the actions were necessary to ensure the continued profitability of our company," said Dr. Robert J. Shillman, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cognex. "Given the rather bleak economic outlook and the expectation that conditions will not improve soon, it is important to align our expenses as quickly as possible to the lower level of business that we anticipate in 2009. The difficult steps that we have taken should allow us to maintain our long record of profitable operations, even as we continue to invest in strategic initiatives to ensure the long-term success of our company."

About Cognex Corporation

Cognex Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and markets machine vision sensors and systems, or devices that can "see." Cognex vision sensors are used in factories around the world to automate the manufacture of a wide range of items and to assure their quality. Cognex is the world's leader in the machine vision industry, having shipped more than 450,000 machine vision systems, representing over $2.5 billion in cumulative revenue, since the company's founding in 1981. In addition to its corporate headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, Cognex also has regional offices and distributors located throughout North America, Japan, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Visit Cognex on-line at http://www.cognex.com/.

Forward-Looking Statement

Certain statements made in this press release, which do not relate solely to historical matters, are forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by use of the words "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "believes," "projects," "intends," "plans," "will," "may," "should," "shall" and similar words. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding business and market trends, the company's curtailment of spending, the company's profitability, and the company's financial outlook, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include: (1) global economic conditions that impact the capital spending trends of manufacturers in a variety of industries; (2) the cyclicality of the semiconductor and electronics industries; (3) the inability to achieve significant international revenue; (4) fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; (5) the loss of, or a significant curtailment of purchases by, any one or more principal customers; (6) the reliance upon certain sole-source suppliers to manufacture and deliver critical components for Cognex products; (7) the inability to attract and retain skilled employees; (8) the inability to design and manufacture high-quality products; (9) the technological obsolescence of current products and the inability to develop new products; (10) the failure to effectively manage product transitions or accurately forecast customer demand; (11) the failure to properly manage the distribution of products and services; (12) the inability to protect Cognex proprietary technology and intellectual property; (13) the company's involvement in time-consuming and costly litigation; (14) the impact of competitive pressures; (15) the challenges in integrating acquired businesses and achieving expected results; (16) exposure to additional tax liabilities; and (17) the other risks detailed in the company's reports filed with the SEC, including the company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year 2007. You should not place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Cognex disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements after the date of such statements.

Source: Cognex Corporation

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