Toronto-Marsulex Inc. reported net income of $1.4 million ($.04 per share) on sales of $68.5 million for the first quarter ending March 31, 2007, up from the year-ago $700,000 ($.02 per share) and $46.9 million, respectively. Results were off at the company’s Western Markets Group, where transportation was disrupted by the CN rail strike. Marsulex says this resulted in lower sales and higher transportation costs for the unit’s sulfur-related products. Marsulex estimates the strike cost it $400,000 in gross profits, with the impact partially offset by higher sales of water treatment chemicals with the start of higher than normal spring run off in southern Alberta and lower raw material costs. Gross profits at Western Markets was off 9 percent, at $5.5 million on sale of $14.5 million, versus the year-ago $6.0 million and $14.7 million.
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