Loss of Customer Leaves Com Systems With Deficit

Com Systems, the Van Nuys-based long-distance telephone company, said it has lost its single largest customer, which accounted for 16% of its 1988 sales.

As a result, Com Systems said it is suffering significant cash-flow deficits that will continue through the first quarter of this year.

The customer, who was not identified, owes Com Systems $2 million, and Com Systems has filed a lawsuit to recover the money. Rex A. Licklider, Com Systems president, said the company has a sizeable backlog of orders, and he expects Com Systems revenues will increase significantly in the second quarter of this year.

Com Systems sells long-distance service to corporate customers and various services to smaller phone companies in the Western United States.