Commtron Corp. Expects Lower Net Earnings

Commtron Corp., a majority-owned subsidiary of Orange-based Bergen Brunswig Corp., has announced it expects net earnings for its fiscal 1987 third quarter to be “significantly lower” than the $1.4 million reported last year.

Results for the quarter ending May 31 should be released June 15. They are expected to reflect sales about equal to the $105.6 million reported a year ago, Commtron announced.

Bergen Brunswig owns 80% of Commtron, a West Des Moines, Iowa,-based distributor of video cassettes and consumer electronics equipment.

John T. Fay, a Bergen Brunswig spokesman, said the expected slide in Commtron’s results will have some negative impact on Bergen’s earnings. But, Fay added “the negative effect will be partially offset by continuing improvement” in the company’s two other divisions: Bergen Brunswig Drug Co., which in fiscal 1987 contributed about 77% of total sales, and Bergen Brunswig Medical Supply Co., which added about 9% to sales.

Bergen Brunswig, which also distributes pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, in October reported its fiscal 1986 net earnings fell 11% to $20.7 million from $23.3 million. But without the $9.4-million gain from the offering in July of stock in Commtron, Bergen Brunswig’s net earnings actually fell 51% to $11.3 million.