The Czech Republic's Crystalex household glassware producer posted a Kcs 40m gross profit last year, while a year earlier the company posted a Kcs 141m loss, the first loss in its history, according to general director Radek Zamrzla. Revenues last year fell 10% to Kcs 1.9bn. The fall was due to a change in the production assortment and a new strategy for sales on the domestic market aimed at lowering the amount of claims, Zamrzla said. Exports last year amounted to Kcs 1.4bn, about 5% more than in 1997. Among the biggest foreign buyers were EU countries, Japan, Canada and Australia. Exports are expected to grow this year as well and total revenues are to reach Kcs2bn. This year Crystalx will undergo an international audit which will raise its competitiveness on world markets.
