Specialist glass company Schott Glas of Mainz, Germany slipped into the red in the 1998/99 fiscal year (30 September) to minus DM 50 million, said management board spokesman Leopold von Heimendahl. Th…
Specialist glass company Schott Glas of Mainz, Germany slipped into the red in the 1998/99 fiscal year (30 September) to minus DM 50 million, said management board spokesman Leopold von Heimendahl. The positive comparative figure from the previous year was not disclosed. This is the first time in decades that the company has not been able to contribute a profit to Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung. Carl Zeiss, the foundation“s second company, also suffered a deficit of DM 100 million in the last fiscal year. Schott“s operating profit declined sharply to “a low three-digit million figure” after DM 230 million in 1997/98; turnover fell 3% to DM 3 billion. Just a year ago, the company was boasting record turnover and profits. Von Heimendahl said this change in fortune was due largely to the economic crises in Asia, South America and Russia, while turnover was also affected by weak demand. Operating profits were hit by one-off costs and provision measures. Von Heimendahl is, nevertheless, still confident for the future. The order situation improved over the last few months, while the economy has picked up again for many markets. He expects turnover growth of 7% in 1999/2000, with net profits.