Sklo Bohemia Ends 1999 With Profit

Czech crystal producer Sklo Bohemia made audited net profits of Kcs 26.6m last year against a loss of Kcs 24.8m posted in 1998. Sales amounted to Kcs 897.2m in 1999, a decrease from Kcs 900.6m in the previous year. Exports accounted for 77% of last year's sales and went mainly to the US, UK, Spain, Japan and Italy. This year's exports are expected to make up 82% of sales which are projected at Kcs 1.150bn. Investments into an expansion of production will require an increase in the company's workforce by 75 staff from the current 1,560. Sklo, which emerged in 1994, has a share capital of Kcs 549.96m. Its main shareholders are Bohemia Crystalex Trading with 51.12% and Coutts Bank AG with 43.15% of Sklo's shares. (whole item)