MINNEAPOLIS -- Contract assembler HEI reported third-quarter a net loss of $510,000, cutting last year's losses by more than 50%.

For the period ended Oct. 2, sales were $8.47 million, up 21% year-over-year. Sales are up 15% year-to-date. The EMS firm lost $1.03 million in the same period 2009.

HEI CEO Mark B. Thomas said, "We are pleased with the sales increase for the third quarter as we continue to rebuild our revenues from the downturn in 2009. The net results are lower than we would like, but we continue to be optimistic about the remainder of fiscal year 2010 and beyond."