Monitor Labs in Black After 2 Years of Losses

Although Monitor Labs reversed two years of red ink and turned a profit of $333,936 in 1984, officials of the air pollution monitoring firm candidly told shareholders Tuesday to expect only a break-even year in 1985.

Revenue of $7.4 million in 1984 could increase to more than $9 million, according to President Kenneth E. Years, who addressed about 20 stockholders at Monitor’s annual meeting.

But Monitor will use operating income to market and distribute its new line of automated vision inspection systems. Consequently, the anticipated $1 million in 1985 earnings from sales of Monitor’s air pollution systems probably will be offset by $1 million in losses from the new visual inspection products, Years said.

Monitor entered the vision industry last February, when it acquired Image Data Systems of Ann Arbor, Mich. Officials believe that the subsidiary will add more than $1 million to Monitor’s revenue this year from sales of its vision units, which are priced at about $20,000 each.

Years said the company will eventually “need another product” to fill the distribution channels Monitor is now creating.

By riding the automated vision market as it matures, Monitor’s sales can hit $50 million by 1990, he said. That could open the door for another acquisition, Years said, “some years down the line.”