Sun Microsystems NZ plummets to loss

Sun Microsystems’ local business has posted an after tax loss of $295,620 for the year to June 2009, in stark contrast to its profit of $3.84 million in the previous reported year.

The latest financial results, listed with the Companies Office during the holiday period, show its gross profit held steady at $22.7 million, while revenue fell about $6 million to $68.6 million.

A spokesperson for ANZ managing director Andrew Goodlace says in accordance with company policy he is unable to comment on the results, nor on local staff numbers, nor whether there will be a replacement for local country manager John Mazenier.

Mazenier was one of five Sun local staff to join integrator NSC Group, which crossed the Tasman last year and has a significant Sun practice. Mazenier subsequently joined Indian outsourcer Tata last December to lead its local operations.

Oracle agreed last April to acquire Sun New Zealand’s ultimate parent company Sun Microsystems. The deal was approved in the US last August and at the time of writing was awaiting European Commission approval.

US media reported last October that Sun Microsystems was losing US$100 million a month while it awaited approvals, and would lay off up to 3,000 workers in the following 12 months.

Oracle New Zealand’s results for the year to 31 May 2009 were also posted to the Companies Office during the holidays, and showed increased year on year revenue of about $3.5 million to $94.5 million.

However, its after tax profit fell year on year to $14.7 million from $20.2 million.

An Oracle spokesperson says the company doesn’t comment on local financial results.