Admiral Plc is still a hectic place to be. The Camberley, Surrey computer services, products and training company made its first foray into Europe in the first half with the acquisition of Delphy Consultants NV of Belgium (CI No 2,665) for ú5.4m; its tenth subsidiary. Admiral also sold its 49% stake in a joint venture with Powersoft Corp, which netted the company an exceptional profit of ú2.2m in this period, and ú4.1m overall. Admiral bid for an unnamed French software firm but the target accepted a higher offer from elsewhere. However this is unlikely to put Admiral off further acquisitions in Europe. Pre-tax profits for the six months to June 30 were up 75% after the gain to ú5.6m from turnover up 23% to ú30.2m. If the first half figu res are compared with those of 1994 excluding contributions from the Powersoft venture, turnover was up 36%, operating profits 34%. Away from the corporate side, details were sketchy because the company was not saying anything beyond what was in the statement. Admiral Customer Solutions Ltd in Dublin won two new customers in Standard Chartered Bank and Rabobank Nederland for its Mind Marketing Information Database product. The interim dividend was up 16% at 2.9 pence. Chairman Clay Brendish was in combative mood in his statement, saying it was certain that challenges would lie ahead, but he was equally certain that we have the capability and resolve to meet whatever comes our way.
