Stratec's prosthetics sales hit by strategy change:

Sales in Stratec's prosthetics business were SwFr50 million ($34 million) in 1998, compared with SwFr59 million in the previous year. The drop in sales resulted from the company's strategy to manufacture and market its own prosthetic products. Oberdorf-based Stratec says the business grew 8% in the second half, partly making up for the 27% drop in the first half. However, sales in Stratec's core business, osteosynthesis, were SwFr215 million in 1998, up 7% on the previous year, above the market rate. The spinal business performed particularly well, the company says. Total sales were SwFr265 million, up 2% on the previous year.