Acorn Computer Group Plc saw an extraordinary leap in pre-tax profits at its interim stage: up 193% to UKP2.1m. This performance was, however, bolstered by a UKP1.2m payment from Olivetti Systems and Networks (a division of the majority shareholder in Acorn) for the acquisition of certain sales and marketing rights related to a development project. The two companies are said to be developing new products together and it seems likely that this agreement will cover Unix opportunities in the educational market, presumably using Acorn’s RISC. Under the agreement Olivetti will have exclusive distribution rights to the new product on the continent, but will share the distribution with Acorn in the UK market. Acorn’s figures and discussion: P5.
