Small caps round-up: 600 Group, ILX, Renew...

Engineering firm 600 Group says the improvement in its global markets has continued, with order intake since October 25% above the same period in 2009. The confirmed order book was 40% higher."The recovery of our machine tool and precision engineered component markets in North America has continued, with sales into the European market developing more slowly," it said.E-learning software and business training group ILX has won two "significant new orders" valued at around £100,000. The first is a contract extension with FTSE 250-listed business and technology service company Logica, and the second is also a renewed contract with information provider Thomson Reuters.Shares in engineering and construction services firm Renew rose 15% after it reached an agreement to acquire rail and energy engineer Amco for £19.8m, from a new £15m debt facility and existing cash resources."The acquisition of Amco allows Renew to increase and broaden the scale of its specialist engineering operations, as well as adding to the range of services we can provide to our customers," said chief executive Brian May. More than 50% of the group's revenue will now be derived from specialist engineering.Distribution group Wincanton says results for the year ending 31 March are expected to be in line with expectations, but highlights debt reduction as its priority going forward to address challenging market conditions. "Actions to preserve cash and to curtail losses in underperforming businesses have commenced," the group says.While its Container Logistics, Defence and Construction divisions have performed ahead of expectations, Wincanton notes that as a result of the opening of a new site in the year, the Foodservice business - as previously indicated - was loss making in the period.Jonathan Carroll, chief executive of UK and Canadian tour operator Travelzest, said he was "very delighted" as the company posted a rise in revenues for the year to 31 October.Revenues rose to £43.8m from £38.3m, though pre-tax losses ballooned to £9.9m from £42,000 on a goodwill impairment charge.