Chessington, Surrey-based Northamber Plc, computer, printer and peripherals distributor, which meekly crept into the black at the half year, has stormed to a 364.4% rise in profits in its year-end figures. Chairman David Phillips said These results are most welcome, after what has proved an overly prolonged period of very difficult general economic trading conditions. In fact, the company hasn’t reported a profitable year since 1990 when it began its slide into the red. This year, however, a mixture of better trading conditions, a marginally less competitive market, and the results of stringent stock and debt control, have all contributed to pre-tax profits of ú3.1m. The company, whose income is closely tied to activity levels, reported a 56% rise in turnover to ú178.5m, which was less than that recorded at the half year, 62% (CI No 2,559), due to general product shortages. At the moment, during the summer, this factor does not affect the company’s revenues but sales in May and June have developed strongly, although Phillips said it was too early in the year to make any predictions. But he reckons the market is firmer, even if still competitive, and that the vicious price battles of recent months have abated, although the threat of price erosion is ever present. The company will pay a final dividend of 1.7 pence.
