If you want to cut steel, drill for oil, make a credit card, manufacture products, lay fiber-optic cable for broadband, weld, cut, mark or engrave something or even engage in some wrinkle removal, you're probably going to need a high-power laser at some point. That's where IPG Photonics comes in with its fiber laser technology which has become increasingly popular in general manufacturing and heavy industry, often replacing conventional lasers. IPG had a tough year in 2009 when sales in the materials processing market fell off by 25% as a result of the global recession. The subsequent two years were much better, however, as manufacturers in China boosted sales of mid- and high-power lasers. Net sales in 2011, at $474.5 million, were more than double those of 2009. -- N.S.