Practical Peripherals’ Parent Files Chapter 11

Practical Peripherals Inc., a Thousand Oaks producer of high-speed modems, expects its business to continue as usual despite the filing of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition by its parent.

The parent firm, Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. of Norcross, Ga., sought bankruptcy court protection last week, saying it was having cash-flow difficulties at a time when demand for its products was growing, but at the same time the venerable modem maker was having problems from subcontractors to meet those orders. Modems are used to transmit data between computers.

Nancy Stokesberry, a Practical spokeswoman, said she understood that Hayes’ problems are short-term. “I understand they’re already on the way to being resolved,” she said.

Practical has about 500 employees. Hayes, which is privately owned, says its annual sales exceed $250 million. It does not break out Practical’s revenues.