Last checked at 19 Apr 2010 07:00
FOR RELEASE
7.00 AM
19 APRIL 2010
ACAL plc
("Acal" or "the Group")
TRADING STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2010
Acal plc, a specialist provider of technology products and services across Europe and South Africa, is today issuing a trading update for the year ended 31 March 2010.
Since the Group's Interim Management Statement on 3 February 2010, growth in sales and orders received in the Electronics division has been ahead of management forecasts, whilst sales in the Supply Chain division remain stable albeit with continuing margin pressure.
The Electronics division, which accounts for around three quarters of Group revenues, has seen a continued improvement in trading. At 31 March 2010 the pipeline of orders was around 20% higher than in the prior year.
As a result the Board anticipates that operating profit for the second half will be above market expectations.
The Group's balance sheet remains robust with net cash ahead of expectations.
Nick Jefferies, Group Chief Executive commented:
"I am pleased to report that, along with a return to profitability in the second half, the Group continues to see an improvement in sales and orders.
We remain focused on delivering our strategy to build Acal into the leading specialist distributor in Europe, whilst continuing to manage costs tightly and integrate our most recent European acquisition."
For further information:-
|
Nicholas Jefferies ~ Chief Executive Paul Neville ~ Group Commercial Director
Chris Lane / James Verstringhe Cubitt Consulting |
01483 544500 01483 544500
020 7367 5100
|
Notes to Editors:
The Acal Group is a leading technology-based specialist distributor in Europe providing sales, marketing and other services through three Divisions: Electronics, Supply Chain and Medical. The Electronics Division distributes electronic products to industrial manufacturing and design companies. The Supply Chain Division supplies new and refurbished IT, EPOS and ATM spare parts to service providers while the Medical Division supplies advanced medical equipment to public and private healthcare providers. Acal has operating companies in the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, South Africa, Spain and the Nordic region.