International sales helped semiconductor testing and services firm Trio-Tech International narrow its net loss when compared to a year ago.

The Van Nuys-based firm reported a net loss of $551,000, or $0.17 per diluted share, on revenues of $7.1 million for the first quarter ending Sept. 30. For the same period a year ago, Trio-Tech had a net loss of $658,000, or $0.20 per diluted share, on revenues of $6.2 million.

High demand from a customer in Singapore resulted in manufacturing and sales rising to $3.9 million for the quarter, an increase of 23 percent from the $3.1 million from the same period a year ago.

U.S. sales declined during the quarter but international sales rose to $6.4 million for the quarter from the $3.9 million for the first quarter from the previous year.

Trio-Tech CEO S. W. Yong attributed the growth to manufacturing segment sales from the company's Singapore operations.

Mark R. Madler