MR-Data Management Group Plc, the London-based data transcription and document image processor, appears to have slowed its profit slide, although turnover is flat. Pre-tax profits fell 27.5% at UKP6.3m on turnover down 0.6% at UKP40.5m. Figures were helped by a maiden UKP181,000 profit on UKP884,000 turnover from The Laser Shop, a laser printing bureau acquired in February for UKP650,000. MR-Data attributes the fall in turnover and profits to delays in anticipated orders for the software company, MR-Memex Ltd and restructuring costs of UKP505,000 in the group, but is confident that all necessary actions have now been taken and MR-Data is in a strong position. The Computer Output on Microfilm and laser printing and the data storage and data transcription of MR-DPTS increased profit, though these were offset by losses for the new service of loading well log data to a computerised database. The group’s American Division, CMC-Data Management also increased profit, with particular growth in laser printing and data storage. Since year-end all the service bureau divisions have been trading profitably and the software division has benefited from sales revenue from orders delayed from the previous year. The group will pay a final dividend of 3.46 pence, bringing the total to 5.536 pence up 6.7%.
