Acuson posts quarterly revenue increase

Strong performance in some international markets helped drive a 5.8% increase in sales for ultrasound vendor Acuson in its second quarter. For the period (end-July), Acuson booked revenues of approximately $119.9 million, compared with $113.3 million in the second quarter of 1998. The company’s net income was $4.7 million, compared with $4.1 million in the same period last year.

Overall, the company’s revenues grew 5% in the U.S. and 9% worldwide. Acuson attributed its revenue growth to an increase in equipment sales in the U.S. and in some international markets, such as Japan and Canada. The launch of its new PACS offering, KinetD_x (SCAN 5/12/99), also helped influence scanner sales, according to the Mountain View, CA-based firm. Shipments of KinetD_x are set to begin in the fourth quarter.

In other plans for the second half of 1999, Acuson will introduce in the third quarter Imagegate Advanced Performance Option, a new release for the firm’s Sequoia and Aspen ultrasound systems.