A escrita diária de uma “viagem de instrução” *1 - Fundação Casa ...

To Our Shareholders2013, although a transitional year, was aremarkable one for GT. Revenue for the year was$299 million, reflective of the challenging marketconditions that prevailed across our core solarand LED markets, and the strategic decision wemade to enter the sapphire materials business,which necessitated foregoing sapphire equipmentsales opportunities.During the year, despite industryheadwinds, we remained committedto advancing the company’s technicalleadership, and continued to makethe investments necessary to advancethe diversification program westarted in 2010. In keeping with thesecommitments, we invested over $83million in research and development,almost double our R&D levels fromtwo years ago.We also took steps to strengthen ourbalance sheet by raising approximately$290 million in cash, and retiring our$145 million term loan, providing uswith the strategic and operationalflexibility necessary to take advantageof the many growth opportunitiesthat have been identified.In November, we secured a multiyearsapphire materials supplyagreement with Apple,the world’s mosthighly valuedpublic company. This is the mostsignificant customer agreement inGT’s 20-year history. We are verypleased to have such a customer,and to be in a position to leverageour proprietary know-how to supplythis versatile material to Apple andadd jobs in the U.S.While a primary focus at GTduring 2014 is to execute onour commitments to Apple, ourlong-term aim is to establish GT asan unparalleled world-class supplierof sapphire material and equipmentto a variety of customers acrossmultiple industries. The technologywe have developed and are deployingas part of the Apple project, andthe supply chain strength we arebuilding, will serve us well as wemove to further penetrate significantopportunities in the LED, industrialand military markets, in partnershipwith our existing customers.The long-term growth prospectsat GT, however, are not limited toour expanded sapphire materialsbusiness. We have invested heavilyover the last several years to diversifyour revenue streams and expandWhile a primary focusat GT during 2014is to execute on ourcommitments to Apple,our long-term aim isto establish GT asan unparalleledworld-class supplierof sapphire materialand equipment to avariety of customersacross multipleindustries.