EFI's year sales show 19% boost

EFI is upbeat after posting improved year-end and fourth-quarter results for 2005.

Sales for 2005 were 264m ($468.5m), compared to 222.3m in 2004. Sales in Q4 2005 were 81.9m, well above the Q4 2004's figure of 45.7m.

GAAP net income was at 6.2m in Q4 compared to 450,821 in 2004. But the firm showed a full-year pre-tax loss of 1.8m, compared with a profit of 13.7m in 2004. This was due to a "charge for in-process R&D and the amortisation of acquisition-related tangibles".

According to EFI chief executive Guy Gecht, the performance is due to a "strong recovery" in its Fiery business and the acquisition of Vutek.

"Our outlook for the first quarter is a further indication of growing strength across the business and we expect the momentum to rise through 2006," he said.

EFI has also promoted John Ritchie to the role of chief financial officer. He was previously vice president of finance.