Fischer’s financial slump continues in Q2

Fischer Imaging of Denver continues to drift in financial doldrums. Despite increases in its second-quarter 1999 (end-July) revenues—the company posted $16.7 million for the quarter, up 9% from $15.2 million for the same period the previous year—Fischer sustained a net loss for the quarter of approximately $2 million, including a restructuring charge. Without the charge, the company’s net loss was $1.2 million, compared to $984,000 in 1998.

Fischer’s moderate sales growth for the period was due to increases in mammography and service revenues offset by reductions in OEM shipments, according to vice president of finance Bill Fee. Its operating results for the quarter were disappointing, Fee said: Manufacturing variances were high, while production hours were lower than the year before. The $700,000 restructuring charge occurred when Fischer discontinued a product line manufactured at one of its facilities that the company was unable to relocate to Denver. In an effort to cut operating costs, the company reduced its inventory by more than $3 million, and last month cut its staff by 5%.