Computer Firm Reports an Extraordinary Loss

General Automation Inc., the Anaheim computer maker, reported a third-quarter loss of $5,000 because of an extraordinary item that erased a $42,000 operating profit. In the comparable period last year, the company lost $3.3 million.

The company attributed the most recent quarterly loss to a $47,000 charge to correct an earlier overestimate of tax loss credits at its West German subsidiary.

Revenues for the period ended March 31 were $10.8 million, 33% higher than the $8.1 million recorded last year. The ending date of the previous year’s third quarter was May 3, 1986. Last June, the company changed its fiscal year to begin July 1.

In the first nine months of the fiscal year, the company posted net earnings of $361,000, contrasted with a loss of $4.5 million last year. Revenues for the period were $29.7 million, up 20% from the $24.8 million posted last year.

“The third quarter was a time of major accomplishments,” Chairman Leonard Mackenzie said. “It was also a period of substantial reinvestment in (the company.)” Earlier this week, Mackenzie revealed that the company expects to report an operating profit for the fiscal year ending June 30--its first full-year profit since 1979.