NEW YORK -- The screen-building frenzy in the exhibition world is driving strong profit growth for movie projection manufacturer Ballantyne of Omaha, the company reported Wednesday.
Ballantyne's net profit rose 24% to $2.2 million in the fourth quarter on 43% higher sales of $21.7 million, it said.
The result brought Ballantyne's full-year earnings to $7.7 million, up 53% on 36% higher sales of $70.2 million. Ballantyne stock fell $1 Wednesday to close at $16.50.
Ballantyne CEO John Wilmers said these results "represent the highest levels of revenue and net income in the company's history." He noted that Ballantyne was a "direct" beneficiary of the screen growth under way as exhibs build bigger plexes.
"Demand for our theater products has never been stronger," Wilmers added. The company's order backlog rose 27%, to $12.7 million, as of Dec. 31.
Additionally, Ballantyne is selling more overseas, where theater expansion is also occurring. Sales to foreign customers rose 31%, to $18.5 million, during 1997, Ballantyne said.
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