News

Zytronic aims for return to profitability

May 13, 2004

LONDON--Touchscreen maker Zytronic has vowed to improve its profit margin after recording a loss despite a 54 percent leap in turnover.

According to a story in The Journal, Chairman John Kennair will take a more hands-on role in an effort to turn encouraging sales increases and a strong order book into a better bottom line.
Zytronic, which also makes optical filters for electronic displays, will also take action to mitigate the effects of currency fluctuations, which the company said were partly responsible for its "disappointing" pre-tax loss.

The company has substantial sales in the USA and the fall in the value of the dollar wiped out much of the benefits of Zytronic's 54 percent rise in turnover. Zytronic's main touchscreen product, Zytouch, enjoyed increased orders and sales thanks to increased acceptance of the technology in the market place.

However, according to the story, management admits that more can be done within the company to ensure better results next time. "Internally, work is being focused towards improving the profitability of the business," Kennair said.

"Although such work will take time to have an impact, I hope to be able to report real progress in my next chairman's statement."

He added, "I will also be taking a greater executive role in the business to assist management in ensuring that the current growth in sales is reflected in a more substantial improvement in profitability."

An unnamed manufacturer of ATMs has specified Zytouch as its ATM touchscreen provider.

Zytronic, also received the first orders from the petrol pump market for its product.
"Significant" orders for the technology have also started to arrive from the gaming sector, Zytronic added, while the company said its order book "continues to strengthen".