Despite a 5% profit fall in the first half and a warning that profit growth for the full year will be very modest, computer output microfilm and laser printing services company Microgen Holdings Plc of Radlett, Hertfordshire remains ebulliantly optimistic and sees former levels of growth resuming next year. One of the undoubted success stories among computer-related UK companies that have gone public in the past decade, Microgen is still as hungry as ever, saying that the search for acquisitions both home and abroad has continued, and that potential acquisitions are under discussion in countries where it is not currently represented. The two UK services companies, Microgen Ltd and the Scan Laser acquisition, are being merged so that the combined sales forces can sell the services of both companies, few of which are common – but this process has caused a hiatus that is largely blamed for the dull performance. John Thorpe has joined as group managing director; he was formerly head of the security printing business of De la Rue Plc.
