CML Microsystems Plc, Witham, Essex electronic systems designer and supplier, says figures for the year to March 31 were much in line with expectations. Group sales rose 20% to #18.8m while operating profits increased by 14% to #3.9m. MX-COM, the Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based semiconductor subsidiary, did well in the domestic US market where it expanded products for the fast-growing and enticing wide-area Cellular Digital Packet Data wireless-data network market. Nigel Clark, financial director of CML, believes that the company is in pole position and ahead of the game in a newly emerging market. But sales to the Far East suffered as a result of a below-budget performance in Japan. Overall sales in Consumer Microcircuits were similar to last year’s, despite a decline in Western Europe, where manufacture of Private Mobile Radio equipment sunk to lower levels. Operating profits were up 14% to #3.8m, partly as a result of the merger of Radio Data Technology Ltd with Skyline Communications Ltd in February of this year. The acquisition of the businesses of Applied Technology and Traffic Control Consultants earlier in the year enabled Microsense Systems Ltd, the UK division of CGML, to start up a Field Services division and develop maintenance and service contracts. Despite substantial expenditure on land, buildings and other financing requirements – CML has acquired a 28 acre site between Malden and Chelmsford and plans to build a #4m factory its net cash reserves were virtually unchanged at #14.7m. It is reluctant to say whether it is on the acquisitions path but plans to develop its Traffic Field Services division and its engineering design capabilities.
