Vicon Industries, a designer and producer of video security and surveillance systems, reported operating results for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012. The announcement was made by Chairman and CEO Ken Darby, who said continuing revenue weakness in Europe overshadowed much improved North America sales.
“Throughout the year, North America business has shown steady improvement, whi...
Vicon Industries, a designer and producer of video security and surveillance systems, reported operating results for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012. The announcement was made by Chairman and CEO Ken Darby, who said continuing revenue weakness in Europe overshadowed much improved North America sales.
“Throughout the year, North America business has shown steady improvement, while our EMEA business continues to experience weak results. We have undertaken measures to improve the situation at our EMEA unit. However, there is no quick fix to the challenges they face”
Net sales for the third fiscal quarter were $11.7 million, an increase of 7% compared with $11.0 million in the third quarter of the prior fiscal year. A net loss was incurred of $497,000 ($.11 per share), compared with a net loss of $9.5 million ($2.12 per share) in the prior year quarter. The prior year period included $5.1 million of patent litigation costs and the establishment of a $2.6 million deferred tax asset reserve.
For the nine months, net sales were $36.5 million, an increase of 5% compared with $34.8 million in the first nine months of the prior fiscal year. A net loss was incurred of $1.1 million ($.24 per share), compared with a net loss of $10.7 million ($2.38 per share) in the prior year nine-month period. The prior year period included $5.4 million of patent litigation costs and the establishment of a $2.6 million deferred tax asset reserve.
Commenting on the third quarter results, Mr. Darby said North America sales grew 27% to $9.4 million from $7.4 million in the prior year period, while Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) sales were off 35% at $2.3 million versus $3.5 million in the year ago period. For the nine months, North America sales increased $3.8 million or 16% to $28.2 million while EMEA sales declined $2.0 million or 19% to $8.4 million. New sales orders for the comparable nine month periods were $36.9 million versus $36.5 million in the prior year.
“Throughout the year, North America business has shown steady improvement, while our EMEA business continues to experience weak results. We have undertaken measures to improve the situation at our EMEA unit. However, there is no quick fix to the challenges they face”, said Mr. Darby. Highlighting the difficulties in Europe, Mr. Darby said EMEA revenues, including the effects of exchange rate movements, are off $15 million or 50+% on an annualized basis, from Vicon's 2008 fiscal year when the financial crisis began.
Gross margins in the third quarter were 40%, compared with 35.4% in the prior year quarter. The prior year quarter gross margin was adversely impacted by an unusually large warranty charge of approximately $180,000. Operating costs, excluding patent litigation expense, declined to $5.1 million compared with $5.7 million in the prior year period, principally as a result of cost reduction programs.