The Perivale, Middlesex-based data communications company, Scantronic Holdings Plc, has reported pre-tax profits for the six months to September 30 down 44.7% at UKP1.1m on turnover that fell 32.2% to UKP16.8m. Chief executive Chris Brookes describes the present economic climate as difficult and says that this precipitated the streamlining and restructuring of European and North American operations. The reorganisation of activities in Europe, started last November, has now been completed, he says, with a reduction in the workforce from around 500 to 420. Brookes also took direct control of operations together with finance director, Ray Dias. Brookes says that sales have been invigorated by new contracts, including supplying downloading control panels to the burglar alarm specialists, ADT, and Shorrocks, a division of BET. A UKP250,000 order has been received recently from France’s electrical component manufacturer, Legrand, which Brookes claims will recur at regular intervals. He expects the benefits of these sales to show in the second half. Another European objective, according to Brookes, was the disposal of the company’s investment in the Gardiner Group Plc in April. Scantronic received an extraordinary gain from the sale of its investment in the Gardiner Group of UKP900,000. Scantronic is close to finishing its restructuring operations in North America. New business has come in from Brinks, to supply control panels and Emnet, for Scantronic’s Homelink medical alert products. Brookes thinks the increased control panel and Homelink business, and international trading with European companies, will increase the company’s share of the North American market. He says Scan-tronic is ready to return to growth.
