Special Devices’ Income Doubles as Sales Surge

Special Devices Inc., a Newhall-based maker of automotive devices, reported that its third-quarter profits more than doubled on a 69% increase in sales.

For the quarter that ended July 30, Special Devices posted net income of $1.89 million, compared to $858,000 for the same period a year earlier. Its quarterly sales were $28.97 million, up from $17.15 million in the year-ago quarter.

The company makes triggers used in the air bags that are now standard equipment in most new cars. In recent years, the company has shifted its business from sole dependence on Pentagon aerospace contracts to private industry. Sales to the automotive industry now outpace defense contracts by more than 2 to 1.

For the nine-month period, the company’s profit more than doubled to $4.45 million, up from $2.1 million a year earlier. Sales rose 70% to $76.2 million, compared to $44.7 million.