The news that the consistantly profitable Altos Computer Systems Inc has downgraded growth expectations for its third quarter figures to March 29 due to a slowdown in sales (CI No 895), is likely to reinforce fears of a recession in the US computer market. Archie Thomas, Altos vice-president for Northern Europe, admitted that the company had not anticipated the US market remaining as soft. However, he said, European business had remained buoyant, with 60% growth in the UK, and 30% in the rest of Europe. After the market crash there is still a ‘let’s wait and see’ attitude amongst customers. It’s hitting everyone in the minicomputer area, where we now consider ourselves to be. Thomas said that although he anticipated that the year as a whole would be significantly up on last year, Altos would be taking action to hold or cut costs in the short term. But, he added, there is no underlying recession as far as we are concerned.
