Another profit-maker that saw fit to warn shareholders that its fortunes were not entirely in its own hands was the Cambridge-based computer systems and services supplier Laser-Scan Holdings Plc, formerly the Imtec Group Plc. Chairman Richard Wevill cited the Ministry of Defence moratorium on certain orders, the situation in the Gulf, and slower economic growth in important markets as the main factors in what would be a much more difficult second half. Laser-Scan now comprises the Geographic Systems, Imaging Systems and Engineering Services divisions of the old Imtec. Interim net profits of UKP743,000, up from UKP42,000 last time, were mainly due to the sale of Imtec’s loss-making Engineering Graphics arm late last year. Wevill warned that first half profits should not be taken as an indication of performance in the second half, adding nonetheless that there was an underlying trend of growth in each of the three current activities.
