Armor maker boasts sales jump Ceradyne Inc.,...

Armor maker boasts sales jump

Ceradyne Inc., a Costa Mesa defense contractor whose products

include armored vests worn by U.S. troops, reported record sales

during the fourth quarter of 2004.

In a statement released Friday, the firm announced a 151.6% jump

in sales.

Ceradyne reported making $83.4 million in sales during the fourth

quarter of last year, up from $33.1 million in the fourth quarter of

2003.

Ceradyne racked up $215.6 million in sales throughout 2004, an

increase from $101.5 million the previous year.

The company also announced last week that Vice President David

Reed was named president of the company’s North American operations,

and Michael Kraft, who has previously held marketing and management

jobs with General Electric, has been appointed as vice president of

sales, marketing and business development.

Fla. boat dealer drops an anchor

Boat retailers MarineMax announced the opening of their Newport

Beach dealership Wednesday. The Clearwater, Fla.-based company now

has 68 dealerships in the United States.

The company plans to provide yacht brokerage services in addition

to selling vessels directly.