Global Graphics' third-quarter pre-tax losses trebled despite strong sales in a usually quiet period.


The firm made a 2.4m (e4.2m) loss on sales up 30% to 12.5m, compared to 770,000 this time last year.


"Our third-quarter results are traditionally the lowest, but we were able to ship almost as much as in the second quarter," said chairman and chief executive Johan Volkaerts. "Based on our order book we are confident that the fourth quarter will show strong growth."


The firm expects to sign further OEM deals in Q4, including some in new business sectors.


Harlequin had sales of 3.34m, up 26%, 170,000 of which was accounted for by the Jaws products, which it acquired at the end of August (PrintWeek, 1 September).


Despite the increase in sales it produced a pre-tax loss of 1.95m. Overall profits were also hit by the Xanalys software business, which made a loss of 440,000 on sales of 205,000.


Hardware sales were up 23% to 9m. During the quarter the firm began shipping a new Kodak Polychrome Graphics thermal CTP processor and Flexo sleeve processors for BASF, DuPont and McDermid.


Story by John Davies