Digital press manufacturers Xeikon and Indigo have posted third-quarter losses, but both are promising improved future results on the back of new products.


Indigo posted an operating loss of 1m ($1.7m) - a slight improvement on 1999's third-quarter loss of 1.2m. And revenues were up 13.5% to 20m.


Chairman and chief executive Benny Landa said the firm's new UltraStream 2000 was "the backbone" of the quarter accounting for 30% of shipments.


He added that the firm was "striving" to keep up with demand for the new press, which attracted a lot of interest at print shows Drupa and Graph Expo.


"Our sales force is following up on the numerous leads gathered over the last few quarters," Landa said.


As predicted in its profits warning last month (PrintWeek, 13 October), Belgium-based Xeikon posted an operating loss of 9.25m ($14.8m) compared to profits of 3.1m for the same period last year.


The tough quarter was due to the integration of the former Agfa DPS business and delays in shipping the new CSP sheetfed press.


President and chief executive Alfons Buts said the new machine will ship this month and predicted "profitability" for 2001.


Story by Jez Abbott