Ceradyne Inc., Costa Mesa, posted a loss...

Ceradyne Inc., Costa Mesa, posted a loss of $860,000 for the first quarter, nearly equaling the loss of $868,000 for the same period a year ago. Sales declined 6%, to $6 million from $6.5 million. The company attributed the loss primarily to lower sales volume in its defense-related product lines and a delay in the consolidation to one facility from the current three manufacturing facilities on the West Coast.