Assetco Regulatory News (ASTO)

7 Mar 2005 08:00

Asfare Group plc07 March 2005 Asfare Group plc Press Release 7 March 2005 Trading Update for the year ended 31 March 2005 Asfare Group plc, the UK's leading supplier of ladders and related equipment tothe UK Fire Industry, today announces a trading update. "Over the past three months we have seen a significant increase in the level oforder intake and revenue and the order book now stands at the highest levelsince the Company came to the AIM market in December 2003. At the time of theInterim statement we were confident that we could achieve our broker'sexpectations, having been in detailed discussions with a number of customers,who had large orders to place. However one of these detailed discussions with a customer that has a requirementfor ladders with a revenue value in excess of £500,000 has recently beendeveloped and as a result, although we expect to receive the order, we do notcurrently believe this order will make any contribution in the current financialyear. Accordingly we do not expect to meet the market's profit expectations forthe year ended 31 March 2005. Should the Company receive the order prior to the year end, then in conjunctionwith the significant increase in the general level of order intake, the Companywould enter the new financial year with a very strong order book. The directors are confident of the outlook for the new financial year." Tim WightmanChairman7 March 2005 For further information, please contact: Enquiries: Asfare Group plcDavid Chisnall, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0) 2380 861 966Adrian Jones, Finance Director Seymour PierceMark Percy Tel: +44 (0) 20 7107 8000 Media enquiries:Abchurch CommunicationsAriane Comstive/Julian Bosdet Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700ariane.comstive@abchurch-group.com - Ends - This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange