Datron Reports 71% Slide in 1st-Quarter Earnings

Datron Systems Inc. reported that its fiscal first-quarter earnings plunged 71%, to $231,000 from $810,000 a year earlier.

Sales at the Simi Valley producer of telecommunications and radio equipment and services fell 13%, to $14.6 million from $16.7 million.

Datron said the lower profit resulted from a 20% drop in sales at its engineering services and products segment, and from a charge of about $77,000 related to reducing its work force because of declining defense business.