Lynx Group Plc, the Oxford, UK-based computer services and systems company has reported a healthy set of interim figures and is poised to continue its growth in the remainder of the year. Lynx saw revenue for the six months to March 1998 up 49.1% to 80.4m, pounds while profits also rose 49.1% to 3.8m pounds. Lynx is split into two business divisions; computer software and systems and computer services. In December last year, the company acquired Globelle UK Ltd, a reseller of data network hardware and related services for 3.1m pounds in cash (CI No 3,318). The Slough-based operation, which was Lynx’s only purchase in the six month period, has been integrated in to its computer services division. The division generated 69% of the group’s revenue and 47% of its operating profit. According to chairman Roger Pinnington the Globelle purchase has enabled the company to start building a presence in the network services and products market. Both divisions turned in high levels of organic growth, and Pinnington says the company is starting to see the effects of its efforts to refocus the business towards higher levels of service provision. This has been helped by its purchase of Clifton Reed Training, which has now been renamed Lynx IT Training. Lynx feels this is the perfect platform on which to build its technical resources business. The company now intends to start improving its computer systems and logistics facilities, which according to Pinnington, the advantages will start to be seen early next year. Lynx will pay an interim of 55 pence per share, a 10% increase on last year’s figure.
