It appears to have been a first half of hopping from exhibition to exhibition displaying its defence and broadcast wares for Radamec Group Plc, with the major orders being won only after the half was completed. However, the Chertsey, Surrey-based company has managed to increase pre-tax profits by 34% to ú566,000 and wipe out its gearing in the half with strong cash flow. Net profits were static because of taxation returning to normal following a period of tax losses. Turnover edged up 3% to ú5.4m. Radamec Defence Systems Ltd is said to have won significant orders in recent months, particularly in the day-night surveillance systems for Army and Navy applications, which will be reflected in future figures, according to chairman Len Whittaker. Firm orders are confidently expected before the year end for a variety of new systems on show this year, including a combined Radar and Electro-Optical Naval Gun Fire Control System, 2600 REOTS, which was developed jointly with Siemens Plessey Ltd. Radamec EPO Ltd won its largest order to date this month from the KTTV network in California for its television studio robotic camera control equipment. REPO also won an order to update the UK National Theatre’s scenery control equipment, and to install television equipment in the European Parliament. The company has been concentrating recently on developing its virtual reality studio equipment that it showed at the International Broadcast Convention in Amsterdam earlier this month. The smaller subsidiary companies met their budgets, and Radamec Inc, established in New Jersey in April for marketing and product support, has received orders in the half with excellent prospects for continued progress. Whittaker said that exports would be the driving force behind second half progress. The interim dividend crept up to 0.8 from 0.7 pence per share.
