Netcall Regulatory News (NET)

29 Jan 2009 07:00



29 January 2009

NETCALL PLC

("Netcall" or "the Company")

Trading Update

Directorate change

Netcall plc (AIM:NET), a leading provider of callback, auto-messaging and contact solutions, today gives an update on trading for the half-year ended 31 December 2008. 

The Board is pleased to report a significant improvement in trading in the six months ending 31 December 2008 compared with the same period last year. This has resulted in an increase in revenues for the first half of 19% to £2.0m (H1 FY08: £1.7m).

The Company has continued to focus on cost control and maintaining margins resulting in operating profit before interest, share based charges and tax approximately doubling to £0.4m (H1 FY08: £0.2m). 

Cash flow remained strong with the Company generating £1.1m during the first half of which £0.4m was invested in a share buy-back programme. The Company's cash position increased in the half year by 23% to £3.6m as at 31 December 2008 (June 2008: £2.9m).

Directorate change

The Company also announces today that Ron Elder is standing down from the Board and his position as non-executive chairman with immediate effect in order to pursue other interests. The Board would like to thank Ron for his contribution over the years and wishes him every success with his future endeavours. Following Ron's retirement from the Board, Roger Allsop, who is currently a non-executive director of the Company, is appointed non-executive Chairman with immediate effect. The Board will be looking to make new appointments to the Board as soon as it is practical.

Henrik Bang, CEO, commented, "The continued demand we have seen during the period demonstrates the strength of Netcall's product offerings in a difficult market. We were pleased to see revenues from the Financial Services sector remain steady during the period whilst growth was achieved from other verticals. The Company remains cautious about the short term outlook, bearing in mind the current economic climate; however our healthy pipeline means we continue to be confident in the long term prospects of the business.

"Ron has been a valuable part of the team at Netcall, particularly at a time of significant change as we have transitioned towards a profitable business model with more recurring and predictable revenue streams. The Board thanks him for his support and wishes him well."

Netcall will be announcing interim results on 26 February 2009.

For further enquiries, please contact:

About Netcall

Netcall is a U.K. company listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Based near Cambridge, Netcall develops and supplies innovative communication solutions to organisations of all sizes, including many blue-chip companies with global contact centre operations. As the leading specialist in callback, auto-messaging and contact solutions, Netcall helps organisations globally to increase profits and productivity while improving customer satisfaction and employee morale. 

Solutions are deployed either onsite or as hosted managed services using Netcall's Intelligent Communications Platform (ICP). The company has more than a decade's experience owning and running a high-availability service platform co-located with international carriers. Netcall's customer list includes Birmingham City Council, BT, BUPA, First Direct, Halifax, Lloyds TSB, McAfee, npower, Oracle, Prudential, RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group), United Utilities and Vertex.

Please visit www.netcall.com for more information.