Special Devices Reports Profit of $755,000 in 2nd Quarter

Special Devices Inc., a Newhall-based manufacturer of pyrotechnic devices for the automotive and aerospace industries, said its fiscal second-quarter profit more than tripled on an 81% surge in revenue.

For the three months ended May 1, Special Devices posted a profit of $755,000, up from $206,000 in the same quarter a year earlier.

Revenue increased to $15.3 million, from $8.47 million, because of greater shipments of devices that trigger air bags in automobiles.

The company, which also makes parts that ignite missiles, said automation helped boost operating margins and earnings.

For the six months ended May 1, the company showed a profit of $1.23 million, up from earnings of $294,000 a year earlier. Six-month revenue climbed 83%, to $27.6 million from $15.1 million.