Valley Briefs Tekelec Opens in Mexico Tekelec, makers of switching and signaling devices for telecommunications, has opened an office in Mexico City. The company said it hopes to take advantage of the growing telecom market in Mexico, an industry that is expanding by nearly 15 percent annually. The Calabasas-based company also has operations in London, Brazil, China, Russia and Singapore. Among its clients in Mexico are Telecel SA and Nextel Communications. For the third quarter of 2003 ended Sept. 30, Tekelec earned $8.5 million or $0.089 per share on revenues of $70.7 million. That compares with earnings of $35.7 million or $0.16 per share, on revenues of $73.5 million in the comparable period last year. Tekelec President and CEO Fred Lax commented, “Our team executed very well during the third quarter with revenue increasing 12 percent sequentially, and orders up by 10 percent sequentially. Creative Computer Reports Loss Creative Computer Applications, Inc. (CCA), a provider of information systems for hospitals and other health care providers, said it lost $37,492 or $0.01 per share for the company’s fourth fiscal quarter ended Aug. 31 on revenues of $1.7 million, versus net income of $224,639 or $0.07 per share on sales of $2.2 million in the same quarter of 2002. For the full year, CCA recorded net income of $94,101 or $0.03 per share and sales of $7.4 million. The previous fiscal year, CCA netted $431,659 or $0.13 a share, with sales of 7.8 million. President and CEO, Steven M. Besbeck, attributed the declining sales and earnings to the sluggish economy and the healthcare industry’s preoccupation with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliance issues. SMTEK Wins New Contracts Moorpark-based SMTEK International, Inc., a provider of electronics manufacturing services, announced that it has been awarded contracts expected to provide approximately $16 million in revenue per year. In one case, SMTEK won a contract expansion for its medical segment division. The two new contracts affect the company’s aerospace and industrial instrumentation businesses. SMTEK’s contract expansion will be handled in its Thailand facility. The new contracts will be fulfilled from Southern California and Massachusetts. THQ and Sega Partner THQ Inc, and Sega Corp. have announced a co-publishing agreement under which the companies will release two new Nintendo Game Boy Advance Adventures based on Sonic the Hedgehog. The companies previously released two other Sonic-branded games for the Game Boy Advance that boast combine sales of approximately 1 million units. Senator Feinstein in the Valley Senator Dianne Feinstein is slated to present a “Washington Report” and discuss current issues affecting the State of California and the Nation, to San Fernando Valley and community business leaders on Thursday, December 11, at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. This is the first time in five years that Feinstein has addressed the Valley. The event is hosted by the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley and the Mid Valley Chamber of Commerce. RSVPs are mandatory because of security clearances required. Contact the Economic Alliance at (818) 379-7000 no later than Dec. 9. VICA Holds 54th Annual Meeting The Valley Industry and Commerce Association will hold its 54th Annual Meeting Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Universal Hilton Hotel, Universal City, beginning with a reception at 11:15 a.m. followed by a luncheon at noon. Jim Parker, CEO and vice chairman of the board of directors of Southwest Airlines will give the keynote address. Mayor James Hahn will give the 11th annual “State of the Valley” address, followed by the chairman’s report by VICA Chairman, Fred Gaines, election of the 2004 board of directors and officers and presentation of the 2003 Harmon Ballin award. The cost is $55 for VICA members, $65 for nonmembers. For more information, call (818) 817-0545. Council Consulted The Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council’s land use committee is taking a front-and-center role in the early planning stages of two proposed developments in the area. According to Ken Gerston, council president, his panel was approached a couple of months ago by representatives from M. David Paul & Associates, a developer planning to build a mixed-use complex at Sepulveda Blvd. and Camarillo Street. Gerston said the project calls for roughly 50,000 square feet of retail and approximately 400 units of housing. He said the developer has asked the council to provide community input on the project.
