Havelock Europa Regulatory News (HVE)

6 Feb 2006 07:00

Havelock Europa PLC06 February 2006 HAVELOCK EUROPA PLC TRADING UPDATE Havelock, the Education, Interiors and Point of Sale group, proposes to announceits results for the year ended 31 December 2005 on Tuesday 4 April 2006. TheBoard expects these results to show a fourth successive annual increase inunderlying profit and to be in line with market expectations. The Retail Interiors Division finished the year strongly with a result whichwill demonstrate the effect of the significant repositioning of its activitiesover the last two years. Point of Sale also traded better than expected andimproved its result, with the first benefits of the integration of the Bristoland Letchworth sites coming through in the last quarter. The level of businessin the Group's education activities remained static but, as expected, profit waslower, reflecting a temporary lull in PFI school refurbishment schemes and abuild up of additional costs in preparation for 2006/7. 2006 has started with firm order books across all of the Group's Divisions. Asignificant upturn in the level of business in the education sector isanticipated. The Group expects to be involved in some 15 PFI projects in 2006,for which letters of intent or orders have already been received for 12, mainlyfor delivery in the second half of the year. The Group's initial entry into thehealthcare market has fared well and further growth is expected in this newsector during 2006. With many of the Group's retail and financial services customers demonstratingstrong performances in 2005, the Group expects another good year in both Pointof Sale and Retail Interiors. Nevertheless, as in the past, it is anticipatedthat the great majority of the Group's profit will be earned in the second halfof the year. Accordingly, Havelock remains on track with its plan to develop higher growthand more profitable businesses and views 2006 with enthusiasm. Enquiries: Havelock Europa PLC 01383-820 044 Hew Balfour (Chief Executive) 07801-683 851Grant Findlay (Finance Director) 07768-745 960 Bankside Consultants Limited Charles Ponsonby 020-7367 8851 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange