CRL Reports Losses, Begins Shipping New Optimod

CRL lost money in the first six months of the year, but is expecting better things as it begins shipping the latest Optimod processor.
The supplier also hinted it may adjust prices of its older processors, and is working on streaming audio products for an early 2001 introduction.
Circuit Research Labs reported sales of $1.2 million in the first six months, compared to $649,000 for the same period last year.
The publicly traded company said it lost $662,000 or 96 cents per share in that period.
The business numbers were posted at a time of major change for CRL. Under a new majority owner, the firm grew substantially when it acquired Orban Inc. at the end of May.
The company also reported figures as if its acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the year. It would have had six-month revenue of $6.2 million and a loss of $89,000, compared to revenue of $7.4 million and a loss of $510,000 for the same period last year.
President and CEO Jay Brentlinger said Orban customers were deferring their processor orders until the Optimod-FM 8400 was introduced in April. He said CRL has received orders of approximately $1 million for the processor, which began shipping this month.
Paul J. McLane