IBM mainframe systems software supplier Macro 4 Plc saw solid growth in profits and turnover for the year to June despite volatile and generally adverse currency conditions and increasing competition in its core US market, said chairman Terry Kelly. 76% of Macro’s revenues come from overseas, with established markets apart from the US including France, Switzerland, Holland and Scandinavia. Crawley, West Sussex-based Macro sees Germany as the largest potential market for its products in Europe, and consequently bought the Macro 4 side of its under-performing German agent Dialogika this June for just under UKP1m (CI No 1,450). Last year also saw the acquisition of the Vsamlite software from Universal Software Inc, and of the Cmap product range of San Diego-based VM/CMS Unlimited Inc. Still in the US, the Macro 4 Inc subsidiary has undergone a fundamental restructuring of the sales force and sales management team in order to cope with increased competition Kelly confirmed that it had nonetheless seen an increase in turnover and contribution in dollar terms. The repetitive rental income content of the company’s total turnover remained above 90%, with average monthly product rental fees up by 7% to UKP195. Kelly remained confident that growth in all areas will continue.
