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Synergetics USA Inc. of O’Fallon, Mo., said Tuesday a decline in sales to two of its customers led to a decrease in second-quarter sales across the company.

Synergetics, which makes instruments for eye, brain and ear surgeries, said sales to one of the companies will improve in the third quarter and is expected to reach "robust" levels in the fourth quarter. Sales to other company, while down compared to last year, are still at "near historic" levels, the company said in a press release accompanying its quarterly earnings.

Chesterfield-based Thermadyne Holdings Corp. said Wednesday sales of newly introduced plasma and welding equipment helped produce strong sales during the fourth quarter cash advance usa payday advance lender.

A 23 percent increase in international sales helped offset rising material costs. International sales grew to 41 percent of total sales for the company, up from 38 percent during the same quarter a year ago.

Thermadyne’s chairman and chief executive officer, Paul Melnuk, said in a statement the company has completed its turnaround since emerging from bankruptcy in 2003.

BY MARY JO FELDSTEIN AND CHRISTOPHER BOYCE

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