Advanced Photonix Posts Quarterly Loss

Advanced Photonix in Camarillo announced a net loss for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 30.

The company also announced that orders of $3.5 million for the quarter were the highest in company history.

Revenue totaled $1.4 million for the fourth quarter, compared with $1.8 million in last year’s fourth quarter. The company reported a net loss of $593,000, or 5 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $149,000, or 1 cent per share, in last year’s fourth quarter.

Revenue for the 12 months was $6.4 million, compared with $7.9 million in the prior year. Net loss for the year was 17 cents per share, compared with 7 cents per share for the previous year.

“Results for fiscal 1997 were disappointing and reflect a softening of bookings during calendar year 1996 and delays in bringing the Large Area Avalanche Photodiode products into full production,” said Harry Melkonian, president of Advanced Photonix. “However, we are encouraged by both the record booking activity and the level of customer interest being shown in our . . . products.”

The company said its products are being tested in airline ice-detection systems, film-to-video conversion equipment, process-inspection applications and advanced scientific research

Advanced Photonix designs and manufactures silicon photodetectors and other optoelectronic products.