Hunting Group Plc, the defence, aviation and oil technology group which has now disposed of almost all of its computer-related activities, has reported pre-tax profits for the year to December 31 down 45% at #21m on revenues down 3% at #750m. The defence division accounted for #162m of the group’s total turnover, down 31% from #233m last time, trading profits down 33% at #10.5m. Having undergone a degree of restructuring, the division is expected to pick up again soon. What is interesting is that Hunting’s defence division encompasses a small subsidiary, Hunting Communication Technology Ltd, based in Worthing, Sussex, which is currently competing against Racal Electronics Plc for a contract to supply the British Army with a next-generation fibre optic-based data communications network, based on the company’s own Hunting Hiway fibre optic data network. The Hunting communications company, which makes up 10% of the defence division, specialises in providing cables and wiring for installation in armoured vehicles. The company hopes to have its Army network in place by the end of the year and, if Hunting wins the contract, it could mean tens of millions of pounds of business, says chairman Richard Hunting.
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