SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY

General Automation, which lost a whopping $11 million last year, continued to struggle during the first quarter of its current year, losing $879,000 on lower revenue.

The Anaheim computer maker’s loss for the quarter ended Sept. 30 showed only a slight improvement over the year-ago loss of $923,000.

First-quarter revenue was $9.6 million, down 6% from $10.2 million a year ago.

General Automation had one bit of good news. The company said it has received a $1.5-million order from its Australian distributor, AWA Computers, for 70 Zebra business computer systems. General Automation also said its Zebra order backlog--a key measure of future revenue--is at a record level.

Nevertheless, company Chairman Alexander W. Giles said the company’s cash flow “continues to be tight.” He said the firm is continuing its previously announced discussions “about a possible business combination and a new credit facility.”

General Automation disclosed last month that it is discussing a possible merger or other form of partnership with Wespac Technologies, an Irvine maker of computers for the transportation and airline industries.

In a statement Monday, Giles said the firm “has also received additional proposals relating to potential investments in the company and other possible business combinations.”

The company is evaluating the proposals, he said, but no decisions have been made.

A company spokesman declined to disclose the identity of the other parties with whom General Automation is talking.