Howtek hit with declining sales

Article

Film digitizer firm Howtek had a difficult 1997. While the company did show some improvement on the bottom line, Howtek's revenues declined 30% for the year.Revenues were $7.9 million, compared with the $11.3 million reported in the same period last

Film digitizer firm Howtek had a difficult 1997. While the company did show some improvement on the bottom line, Howtek's revenues declined 30% for the year.

Revenues were $7.9 million, compared with the $11.3 million reported in the same period last year. The Hudson, NH-based company had a net loss of $832,000, compared with a net loss of $6.1 million in 1996.

In the fourth quarter (end-December), revenues were $2.1 million, a 34% dip from the $3.1 million reported last year. Howtek had a net loss of $1.3 million, compared with a net loss of $746,000 in the same period in 1996.

To make up for declining sales volume, Howtek is developing a plan to broaden its product line by securing new scanners and related products from other manufacturers on an OEM basis. Howtek would then privately label the new products. Price reductions on certain products are planned, and the company is also evaluating additional complementary products and markets.

One key area of focus in the future will be its x-ray film digitizer offerings. Commercial production has begun on the firm's first compact, automated-feed x-ray film digitizer, and Howtek views the x-ray market as a substantial growth opportunity.

The company has also instituted some cost-containment measures. On Jan. 30, Howtek significantly reduced the number of employees, as well as certain operating expenses. Improved budgeting and cost controls were also implemented.

Recent Videos
Study: MRI-Based AI Enhances Detection of Seminal Vesicle Invasion in Prostate Cancer
What New Research Reveals About the Impact of AI and DBT Screening: An Interview with Manisha Bahl, MD
Can AI Assessment of Longitudinal MRI Scans Improve Prediction for Pediatric Glioma Recurrence?
A Closer Look at MRI-Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy for Monitoring and Treating Glioblastomas
Incorporating CT Colonography into Radiology Practice
What New Research Reveals About Computed Tomography and Radiation-Induced Cancer Risk
What New Interventional Radiology Research Reveals About Treatment for Breast Cancer Liver Metastases
New Mammography Studies Assess Image-Based AI Risk Models and Breast Arterial Calcification Detection
Can Deep Learning Provide a CT-Less Alternative for Attenuation Compensation with SPECT MPI?
Employing AI in Detecting Subdural Hematomas on Head CTs: An Interview with Jeremy Heit, MD, PhD
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.