Macfarlane Group PLC
15 May 2007
Annual General Meeting statement
15 May 2007
At today's Annual General Meeting of Macfarlane Group PLC the Chairman, Archie
Hunter, made the following statement.
'The Board believes that the Group has gained from the experiences of 2006 and
its response to them. The markets in which we operate continue to demonstrate
similar characteristics to those experienced in 2006, however the Group is now
prepared and resourced to address these challenges. The Board is confident that
the key businesses on which we will concentrate in 2007 have been strengthened.
Further carefully targeted and manageable acquisitions will be pursued.
A major element of the investment programme undertaken in 2006 related to
building the management team in terms of both numbers and competency. The
efforts to develop this team continue in 2007 and the fruits are becoming
evident. With regard to current trading, organic turnover in our Packaging
Distribution business is 10% ahead of last year and, critically, the recovery in
margins continues; the new business development teams are recording meaningful
wins and our E-commerce offering Packaging2U, continues to grow at encouraging
levels. The net effect is a significantly improved return in our Packaging
Distribution business to date compared with 2006.
In Manufacturing we have committed to capital investments totalling £0.9m for
the second half of 2007 in Labels and UK Packaging Manufacture. These
investments will provide additional capacity and improved efficiencies as well
as incorporating enhanced safety features. Our Labels and UK Packaging
Manufacturing businesses are performing satisfactorily in the early part of
2007. Our US/Mexico businesses are having to contend with slower markets in 2007
with a disappointing impact on trading. We are working to realign the cost base
with the lower levels of demand and attention to these businesses is a current
priority for management.
The most significant feature of trading to date in 2007 is the improvement in
our key businesses.'
Further information: Archie S. Hunter Chairman 0141 333 9666
Peter D. Atkinson Chief Executive 0141 333 9666
John Love Finance Director 0141 333 9666
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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