24 Jan 2012

Earnings forecast lowered by lightbulb maker

7:07 am on 24 January 2012

Energy Mad has cut its full year earnings forecast by more than two thirds, due to production delays and higher than expected freight costs.

The maker of energy-efficient lightbulbs expects to report earnings of about $1.1 million in the year to the end of March - compared with the $3.5 million forecast before its stock market flotation in October.

Managing director Chris Mardon says production problems in China have resulted in significant delays for new ecobulb lights destined for the Australian market.

He says the company has spoken to customers about the delays, and expects the orders to remain in place.

Mr Mardon says the company has increased prices for the lights by 7% to improve margins and avoid any unexpectedly high freight costs.

Energy Mad shares have lost more than a third of their value since their debut on the stock exchange three months ago. They opened at $1.05 on 19 October.

But they fell 15 cents on Monday to end the day's trading at 57 cents.