Liz Parks: Axminster Carpets is well and truly back in business Page 7
Creditors left hanging as butcher folds BY CHRIS RUNDLE AND TINA ROWE wdbusiness@b-nm.co.uk One of the South West’s bestknown butchery chains has collapsed with debts reportedly running into millions of pounds. Gerald David and Family, based in Minehead, went into liquidation at the end of last week, leaving more than 50 staff facing an uncertain future. An administrator has been appointed to run its affairs. Apart from its two shops in
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Staff facing uncertainty due to the difficult situation at Gerald David Minehead the company had six others including units in Taunton, Dulverton and Cheddar, all supplied from the company’s own abattoir in Porlock. There are other outlets at Darts Farm, Topsham, and at Puxton Park, near Westonsuper-Mare. It also ran a mobile unit which appeared at shows such as the Bath and West and Devon County. At one time the business was one of the most successful in the South West food sector. Mr David, who started with one side-street shop in the 1970s, drove a top-of-the-range Bentley and clients were invited to week-ends aboard his ocean-going motor cruiser.
But there were less successful ventures into a lingerie business and a wet fish shop, and two hotels, one in Culbone, near Porlock, and the other in Dunster, both of which ultimately failed. And things started to go badly wrong last year when it was ordered to pay fines and penalties of £15,000 after being prosecuted by Trading Standards. The company had built its reputation on sourcing beef and lamb from Exmoor, with its shops, vehicles and website using images of sheep and cattle grazing on Exmoor. But a lengthy investigation revealed some of what was being sold as local meat had in fact come from animals bought in the Midlands. Earlier this year, Gerald David officially retired from the business and went to live in Spain, handing everything over to sons Alistair and Philip. But the abattoir was reported as having closed some days ago after a dispute with meat inspectors over unpaid bills and over the week-end unsold goods and equipment were removed from most of the shops. The company’s debts are reportedly in the millions, with creditors including livestock auctioneers and bacon and cheese suppliers. Dairy farmer Derek Mead, Puxton Park’s owner, said arrangements were being made to take the butchery outlet back in house and to carry on trading there. Despite strenuous efforts the Western Daily Press was unable to contact the David family yesterday.
Inflation worry risks growth Britain has the highest inflation rate in the European Union, according to figures from the 28-nation bloc’s official statisticians. The 2.7 per cent annual CPI inflation rate recorded in the UK in September was well above the overall EU rate of 1.3 per cent and the 1.1 per cent in the eurozone, said Eurostat. By comparison, inflation was zero per cent in Ireland, one per cent in France and 1.6 per cent in Germany, while prices are falling year on year in Bulgaria, Greece and Latvia, according to the Eurostat figures. Labour Treasury spokeswoman Catherine McKinnell said yesterday: “This is yet more evidence of the cost-ofliving crisis facing families across Britain after three years of this Government’s failing policies. Prices have now risen faster than wages in 39 out of 40 months under David Cameron and now we learn that we have the highest rate of inflation of any EU country. “David Cameron is so out of touch he thinks people are better off, but working people are over £1,500 worse off since he came to office.”
Future brighter for publisher
One of the region’s biggest chains of butchers’ shops has gone into administration. Gerald David, pictured above, retired to Spain earlier this year, but his eponymous chain went into administration last week, it is understood
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West Country publisher Future said it was on course to deliver a dividend for the first time since 2011, as it announced that results to the end of September will meet expectations. Future, whose titles include Total Film and technology magazine T3, as well as games and music websites, said there was “encouraging momentum” across all trading areas. Advertising bookings for the first quarter of the 2014/15 year are up more than 30 per cent, amid good progress reshaping the business.
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Somerset gym equipment makers flex their muscles Page 6
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2 WEST COUNTRY BUSINESS THURSDAY OCTOBER 17 2013 WESTERN DAILY PRESS
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West fails to match UK jobs growth BY ALAN JONES wdbusiness@b-nm.co.uk Unemployment in the South West increased by 16,000 in the three months to August, official figures have revealed. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that a total of 172,000 people were unemployed in the region between June and August. The region’s unemployment rate was 6.3 per cent and saw a rise of 10.3 per cent during the period. The worst area in the UK was the North West which recorded a 24,000 increase in the number of people without a job. The number of people in work nationwide has though reached a record high of almost 30 million after a new fall in unemployment. Just under 2.5 million people were out of work in the three months to August, down by 18,000 on the previous three months, while figures showed the biggest monthly fall in jobseeker’s allowance claimants for 16 years.
16,000 The rise in the number of people out of work in the South West
The so-called claimant count has now been cut for 11 consecutive months after September’s fall of 41,700 to 1.35 million. Employment rose by 155,000 to 29.87 million, the biggest total ever recorded, giving a rate of 71.7 per cent. People classed as economically inactive also fell, by 83,000 to 8.95 million, while job vacancies rose by 6,000 over the latest quarter to 541,000, the highest for five years. But the new data from the ONS also showed that 1.45 million people were working parttime because they could not find full-time jobs, the highest figure since records began in 1992. Average earnings growth fell back from 1.2 per cent to 0.7 per cent for the year to August compared with the previous month. Average weekly earnings in private firms increased by 1.1 per cent, but the annual growth rate in the public sector slumped to minus 0.5 per cent, the lowest since 2001.
Fewer people on high pay and more workers on lower pay in the public sector could be behind the figure. The latest figures showed a 69,000 increase in male fulltime employment and 21,000 increase in part-time employment, while the number of women in part-time jobs fell by 13,000 compared with a 79,000 rise in full-time female employment. There were 958,000 unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds in the latest three months, down by 1,000 over the quarter. More than 1.1 million people have been unemployed for up to six months, down 32,000, but those out of work for between six months and a year rose by 29,000 to 446,000. The number of people out of work for over a year fell by 15,000 to 900,000. Employment Minister Esther McVey said: “Today’s figures show a rise in employment of more than a million under this Government, and they show that there are now more people in work than ever before. “That’s a really positive sign of growth in the UK economy, and a credit to British businesses for creating those jobs. “We are not complacent – there’s still work to do – but with more than 500,000 vacancies currently available, and with all the signs being that the economy is turning a corner, we can see that there are opportunities out there for hardworking people who aspire to get on in life.” GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: “That we have mass unemployment of twoand-a-half million six years into recession shows the human costs caused by the excesses of the bankers. Young workers have borne a heavy brunt. It has taken a toll on the living standards of almost the whole working population.” Speaking in the House of Commons, Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the national figures. He said: “It is good news. The number in work is up 155,000. Unemployment is down 18,000, women’s unemployment is down, youth unemployment is down, long-term unemployment is down and vacancies are up. “Crucially, the fall in the claimant count is 41,000 this month alone. “That is the fastest fall in the number of people claiming unemployment benefit since February 1997.”
Group celebrates with charity giveaway 50 years after starting in garage
Tony Morgan founded Wessex Electricals in 1963, main picture; he was a recipient of the Electrical Contractors Association Centenary award in recognition of his work; paying tribute to the company’s loyal and hard-working staff at the 50th anniversary gala dinner
When recently qualified electrician Tony Morgan started up a business in his mother’s garage 50 years ago he never expected it to grow into a multi-discipline group turning over more than £30 million and employing more than 400 people. Dorset’s Wessex Group is one of the county’s hidden business success stories, and celebrates its golden jubilee next month. Joint managing director Simon Morgan – Tony’s son – is pleased that as the milestone approaches, he senses that the economy is picking up and confidence is growing. And this positive outlook is significant because the group is active in a variety of sectors, many of which are good economic indicators. Over the years Wessex Electricals developed into the
group that now includes Wessex Fire & Security, Wessex Building Services, Wessex HVAC & Plumbing and Wessex Catering Maintenance, among others. Still based in Shaftesbury, where it all began, it has a growing presence across the country, but its heartlands remain in the “Wessex” region. Simon, aged 46, and his brother Alistair, aged 43, are joint managing directors, meaning the group is still very much a family affair, a quality that leads to it having many loyal and long-serving staff. For example, Gordon Green began as Tony’s first apprentice in 1965 and is now managing director of Wessex Electricals. “Reaching 50 years is an incredible achievement for the group and is down to the great
foundations built by my father,” said Simon. “Alistair and I still seek advice from him on occasions, and he occasionally attends board meetings, and that continuity is something that our clients and customers appreciate. “Because of the strength of the group we were able to ride out the recent economic difficulties and I now sense that things may be picking up.
£45m
Turnover Dorset’s Wessex Group aims to achieve by 2018 “Confidence really does appear to be increasing and across our businesses we’ve seen signs of a recovery,” he added. The group has a plan to increase turnover to £45 million by 2018, growing by between five and seven per cent, and it is on course to do that. “We have a ten-year plan that we put into place in 2008 –
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Ousted car head vows to fight back BY CHRIS CAMPBELL wdnbusiness@b-nm.co.uk Charles Morgan is set to put up a fight after being ousted from his position as head of Morgan Car Company, with the factory stating it is “better placed” to steer the business without him. Mr Morgan is to appeal the move, which sees him no longer part of the management team or board of directors at the Malvern-based company. Motor fans flocked to social networking site Twitter to declare their shock at the decision. He is seen by many as the face of Morgan Car Company, which celebrated its centenary year at Cheltenham Racecourse in 2009, and is widely-credited for personally influencing many of the brand’s car designs over the past decade. Tim Oldland, who is a director at production design company C2P Design, tweeted: “Hurrah, @charlesmorganuk to fight the decision! Seems the whole motoring world is behind you Mr.M!” Garath Williams, @therealGDJ, tweeted: “Am I reading this right? @charlesmorganuk pushed out of #MorganCars ??? Where is the sense!??” just as the economy crashed,” Simon said. “But we’ve weathered the storm and still expect to hit our targets, if not exceed them. “In fact we want to be growing when we reach our 100th anniversary, and I hope some of this year’s apprentice intake are still here in 2063.” To celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, Wessex Group is giving away “50 somethings” to a good cause or charity each month. So far it has given 50 sensory toys to a charity for children with severe learning difficulties, planted 50 yards of snowdrops in Shaftesbury, supported 50 animals at a rescue charity, provided 50 vintage books for Max Gate, Thomas Hardy’s former home, helped a dyslexia support group with 50 promotional packs, supplied Gold Hill museum in Shaftesbury with 50 LED lamps, sponsored 50 birds at an owl sanctuary and donated 50 teddy bears to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. It also held a gala dinner at the BIC for staff and their partners and has further plans for events through the rest of the year.
Smiths profits from diversity
Tony Morgan with his sons Alistair, left, and Simon, who are now joint managing directors; the headquarters of Wessex Group in Shaftesbury, Dorset – the firm now has a growing presence across the country
Newspaper distributor Smiths News pledged to continue its shift away from hard-hit print and magazine markets as it increased profits despite further falls in circulation. The Swindon-based group, which supplies around 30,000 UK retailers and newsagents, reported a 9.2 per cent fall in like-for-like wholesale magazine sales in the year to August 31, blaming “wider economic pressures” for an ongoing drop in demand, as well as price cuts in TV listings. Newspaper sales were also knocked – down 2.7 per cent – as the Sun on Sunday kept the pressure up on rivals with its competitive cover price, having sparked a price war last year after launching into the market, although Smiths said prices were starting to rise again. The group said it was on track to see half of all profits come from outside of newspaper and magazine wholesaling by 2016, up from 29 per cent in the past financial year.
Responding to one tweeter who asked whether the move was a publicity stunt, Mr Morgan, who is the grandson of company founder Harry Morgan, simply said “no” and wrote: “Thank you so much for all your support everyone #morgan.” A spokesperson from the Morgan factory said: “The Morgan family recognises the management contribution
Charles Morgan of Morgan Cars that Charles has made to the family business as strategy director and confirm that he remains a shareholder. “However, to ensure continuing success, Morgan must look to strengthen and review its strategies, and acknowledge that our management team is better placed to steer the company in the future.”
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Markets rally on hopes of a US debt deal YESTERDAY IN THE CITY Stock markets staged a rally yesterday on reports US politicians have struck an 11th hour deal on America’s looming debt deadline. The FTSE 100 Index had earlier plunged into the red as the prospect of the world’s largest economy defaulting on its debt edged nearer, but by the close of the session updates from Washington had lifted it 22.5 points to 6571.6. In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 200 points ahead, a rise of more than 1 per cent. Germany’s Dax was also up, although France’s Cac 40 failed to climb out of the red by the end of the session. On currency markets, sterling slipped against a resurgent greenback, off one cent to 1.59 US dollars, while it was flat against the single currency at 1.18 euros. Royal Mail lost some of its post-flotation froth, down 3 per cent or 14p to 475p – although investors are still enjoying a rise of more than 40 per cent on the Government’s price tag last week. Some blue chips also remained under pressure after star fund manager Neil Woodford quit Invesco Perpetual. Shares in firms in which he has built up holdings dropped after the announcement, with BAE Systems initially down again yesterday before closing up 4.1p to 443.3p on rising hope from Washington. The group has said it could be hit by the budget wrangling.
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Move is a hit with producer Waterman BY EVA JONES wdnews@b-nm.co.uk Record producer Pete Waterman sang the praises of a heat transfer specialist when the company marked its move to a new headquarters. Mr Waterman, honorary president of the Combustion Engineers Association (CEA) – and lover of all things steam – was among 60 customers, suppliers and dignitaries celebrating Fulton’s move to a new £3.5 million, 43,000 sq ft Bristol-based office. The dignitaries also included US-based owners Ronald and Bram Palm. In his speech, Mr Waterman welcomed Fulton’s decision to bring the manufacturing of its
Pete Waterman praised Fulton for moving manufacturing to the UK
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k to g larger boiler pressure vessels for UK and export markets from Fulton’s facility in China to Bristol, at a time when many manufacturers are doing the opposite. Despite the many local, national and international obstacles Fulton faced, he also praised the company for maintaining its presence in Bristol and protecting the jobs of local people. Mr Waterman is best known as a member of the Stock Aitken Waterman songwrit-
ing team that wrote and produced a succession of hit singles. Guests were given guidedtours of Fulton’s new facility and a demonstration of its state-of-the-art plasma cutter and, following speeches from Bram Palm and Mr Waterman, the company was presented with a commemorative plaque from the CEA. Commenting on the move, Fulton UK’s managing director Paul Richards said: “The move to the new facility has helped us to manage current demand and plan for the future. Being a much larger facility, it has also helped to boost morale among the Fulton team as the offices and manufacturing areas are lighter, brighter and a nicer environment in which to work.” Fulton’s new UK headquarters creates a centre of excellence for the company’s heat transfer products and provides comprehensive customer support, from applications advice and sales processing, through to delivery. Because Fulton stayed within the Bristol area and has not lost a single employee because of the relocation, the same experienced teams are available to help with enquiries for the company’s range of thermal fluid, fuel-fired and electric steam boilers, hot water boilers and ancillary products. The site also accommodates new training and seminar facilities created to enable qualified staff to keep customers up to date with the latest products and applications; and host the company’s recently announced City & Guild certified training courses, which offer a mix of theoretical and practical operational assignments. For further information call Fulton on 0117 972 3322, email uk.sales.office@fulton.com or visit www.fulton.co.uk.
Record level of assets under administration Financial services group Hargreaves Lansdown said it has a record level of assets under administration after the figure increased by £2.9 billion in the three months to September 30 to £39.3 billion. Total active client numbers rose by 20,000 to 528,000 as revenues improved 13 per cent to £77.9 million for the quarter. Chief executive Ian Gorham said: “The first quarter of the financial year is traditionally the quietest. However, we are pleased to report exceptional activity in the first quarter of the 2014 financial year. “The beginning of the second quarter has seen unprecedented public interest in the flotation of the Royal Mail. “Public offerings of wellknown companies have historically substantially boosted our client numbers. The rules of the offer prevent us
£77.9m Hargreaves Lansdown revenues in the three months to September 30
Taunton-based Royal Wedding gown designer Sassi Holford has showcased her 2014 couture collection in the elegant surroundings of the In and Out Club in St James, London. She holds the title of Best Dress Designer and British Bridal Designer of the Year. Alongside her Taunton boutique she has another in South Kensington, London. She made the gown worn by Autumn Phillips when she married the Princess Royal’s son Peter Phillips in 2008
from immediately disclosing details of participation through Hargreaves Lansdown, but suffice to say it was immense. “In addition to interest from existing clients, a large proportion of our Royal Mail investors were new clients, many investing for the first time. “A minority of clients experienced a reduction in service around the Royal Mail Share Offer period primarily because of the sheer demand to participate through Hargreaves Lansdown. We consider there are no notable financial implications, but we do not underestimate the inconvenience caused to some clients, and have apologised to clients who experienced delays. “In the coming months we will be launching our iPad App and a number of other major new initiatives. We remain confident of growing the business further.”
Award for pioneers of device that stops drink-drivers starting engine A Midsomer Norton company which has pioneered the introduction of an alcohol breathalyser immobiliser system has won an award for its innovation. When fitted to a vehicle, the device prevents any driver from starting the engine before he or she has passed a simple breath test. The device has been promoted in the UK by Midsomer Norton Enterprise Park firm Alcolock GB, and managing director David Whittock said that the device could quite simply save lives. The firm, whose customers
include National Express, was named Company of the Year at the recent Coach and Bus Show. Mr Whittock said: “We were the first to introduce this technology into the UK, and now we specialise in making sure our customers get what they require, supported by dedicated engineers and after-sales service. “By proving to our customers it really can make our roads a safer place, business is on the increase year on year.” While the legal limit for drivers is 35mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, the limit set
David Whittock says that the alcohol breathalyser immobiliser system his company promotes can save lives
by the breathalyser can be adjusted lower. Mr Whittock said: “We recommend a lower limit for the equipment and it means that companies can be assured their drivers are not under the influence of drink when they drive.” The equipment can also be designed so that an automatic warning can be sent via text and email to the company should a driver fail before taking the wheel so that the business can monitor its operations. The equipment is already on every coach in the National
Express fleet and is also being used by private drivers who want to be sure they are below the limit before setting off. Mr Whittock said: “This is a system that can help save lives and we believe it will curb the drink-driving habit. “People are owning up to having a problem and often we get an approach from a concerned family.” Alcolock GB was established in 2006. The company aimed to introduce to fleet operators and individuals a solution to manage their drinkdrive activities either in business or their day to day life.
6 WEST COUNTRY BUSINESS THURSDAY OCTOBER 17 2013 WESTERN DAILY PRESS
Builders invited to take on sports stars
Resort’s biggest store snapped up at auction
Builders are set to try their luck batting against England and Somerset cricketer Marcus Trescothick and hitting a bullseye against darts star Wayne Mardle next month. Bradfords builders merchants, which has stores in Sherborne and Yeovil and across the South West, has invited more than 2,000 traders to attend its Trade Deal Day at the Westpoint Arena in Exeter on November 20. The show is free. For more details, visit www.bradfordstradeday.co.uk
The former TJ Hughes store in Weston-super-Mare sold for a cut price £670,000 at auction on Tuesday. The store, the biggest in the North Somerset resort, went under the hammer at CBRE’s auction in Mayfair. It had a guide price of £750,000. That itself was a considerable fall on the seven-figure sum agents had tried to secure for the property privately. It is understood the property has been bought by a firm that specialises in refurbishing derelict shops.
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Lady Gass hands over award to successful exporter Somerset company Jo Bird & Co Ltd has been presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise International Trade, recognising its export success, by Lord Lieutenant Lady Gass in a ceremony at its Highbridge offices. The firm was formed in 1985 and manufactures high performance cabinets for the safe storage and protection of fire and lifesaving equipment
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RISERS AND FALLERS, SHARES PAGE 8
Consultancy to advise on tidal power project
Dutch acquire taste for Devon yoghurt
A Bristol-based environmental consultancy has been appointed to advise on the world’s first tidal lagoon power station. SLR Consulting will provide strategic planning advice ahead of an application to the Planning Inspectorate later this year for a project in Swansea Bay. The project, by developer Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay PLC (TLSB) will be capable of generating 240MW of renewable energy, enough for all of Swansea’s domestic use.
A Devon yoghurt maker has secured a listing into 400 Dutch supermarkets – after founder Peter Duncan gave a presentation in Dutch to help secure the deal. Torringtonbased Stapleton yoghurt is now stocked in 400 Jumbo stores in the Netherlands as well as around 300 Delhaize outlets in Belgium. Mr Duncan said that the business was targeting further exports, with its high fruit content and additive free product a unique offering on continental supermarket shelves.
Mobility equipment supplier wins retailer of month award A Bristol firm has won a monthly sales award from a leading national supplier of mobility scooters. Elite Mobility, which provides mobility equipment from a showroom in Staple Hill and was set up 14 years ago by current joint proprietors Steve Hall and Wayne Pegler, has been given TGA’s Retailer of the Month award for September
The primary focus of the East Bristol Bakery that Alex Poulter opened in 2012 is retail customers, but it is expanding its wholesale cake business
Alex pushes himself to put bread on the table Unemployment might be down, but there are many people working in unfulfilling minimum wage roles, searching for more stability and direction. A good example of this is 28year-old Alex Poulter, from Easton in Bristol. Before 2009 Alex didn’t have a set career path or any real direction, frequently moving between minimum wage jobs in shops and
Wolfy’s porridge now available on trains
App offers prospect of landing new job
Rail travellers can enjoy a new snack since a Gloucestershire porridge brand won a contract to supply First Great Western. Wolfy’s, launched earlier this year from Stroud, is on track for a growth in sales, with one of its three flavours now available to buy on the train service. The Creamy Porridge with Berry Pot is made by Stroud-based Kitchen Garden Foods, supplier of delis and farm shops, which owns the Wolfy’s brand.
With almost half of workers spending up to four hours a day dreaming of another job, a new app could help people find their ideal career. The Career MoT, available for iPhones and Android phones, asks questions about a person’s training and personality and then makes suggestions on career options. The new app has been developed and launched by Bath-based Pitman Training, and is available via www.pitmancareermot.com
this was the career path he wanted to follow, and finding no suitable vacancies locally, he decided to set about opening his own bakery. East Bristol Bakery officially launched at premises on St Mark’s Road in October 2012, and now employs four staff, with a turnover of £100,000 in year one. It’s a traditional craft bakery in the heart of the com-
munity, making simple, tasty bread without any unnecessary additives or ingredients. It also makes cakes to a variety of dietary requirements, winning “Best Local Cake” at the 2013 Bristol Good Food Awards. In the future it aims to open a café and bar to complement the bakery and maintain the face-to-face interaction with its customers.
Gym manufacturer flexes its muscles in growing market BY JEFF WELLS wdnews@b-nm.co.uk
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bars. Although he enjoyed aspects of this work, he never found it fulfilling, and was constantly considering what else he could be doing. Following a year of constantly baking for housemates, colleagues, family and friends, Alex pushed himself to fit in a day a week of work experience with a baker around his full-time job. When it became clear that
A Somerset gym manufacturing company is moving to bigger premises to keep up with demand. Watson Gym Equipment supplies handmade bespoke professional gym equipment not only to an extensive UK customer base, which includes Bath University and Bath Rugby, but is a global supplier to the health and fitness industry in the USA and across Europe. The company now exports 60 per cent of its products overseas and is looking to expand further, so it has bought additional premises at Commerce Park Industrial Estate, Frome, to support its growth strategy. The 6,381 sq ft site is the headquarters for a company
established in 1998 by owner and director Simon Watson, and now experiencing an annual turnover in the region of £2 million. Mr Watson said: “Purchasing the new premises is a major step forward in our growth strategy. “We started out in premises the size of a double garage with two employees and the new space will allow us to meet an increasing demand for our products as well as create a showroom for potential customers to see first hand the gym equipment and factory where it is manufactured from start to finish here in the UK.” More than 20 tonnes of British mild steel are delivered at the factory each week, which is then manufactured into more than 200 pieces of gym equipment for customers.
Educated at Beechen Cliff School in Bath, Mr Watson designed his first piece of gym equipment to satisfy his own health and fitness requirements. Having undertaken an apprenticeship with the Ministry of Defence at Boscombe
SMART MOVE westerndailypress.co.uk
A major investment in smart technology could boost Bristol’s economy – full story www.westerndailypress.co.uk Down, he worked as a welder and fabricator which gave him the insight and know-how to start producing his own equipment. The business started up with just two employees and now over a decade later employs 22 full-time staff, a mix-
ture of welders and upholsters, packers and drivers. Barclays provided a mortgage of £328,000 to make the move into new premises possible. Brian O’Connor, Barclays’ business manager, Frome, said: “The investment in the new premises will now enable the company to build on its strengths and grow their market share. Watson Gym Equipment is a British product through and through and its appeal for quality and service will ensure the firm has an extremely bright future ahead.” Peter Wheelhouse, economic development and regeneration manager at Frome Town Council, said: “Watson Gym Equipment is a high performer in this sector and we are proud of what has been achieved. We wish Simon well for the future.”
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Leading revival of great British brand
Five minutes into an interview with Axminster Carpets chairman Stephen Boyd comes a somewhat surreal interruption as a staff member pokes her head round the door and says: “Mr Boyd, your sheep has arrived.” It’s an odd moment, but it transpires that such is his enthusiasm for his “new” business that, after spotting the steel sculpture of a Jacob’s sheep at an exhibition in Langport, Somerset, he bought the artwork himself to display at the world-famous carpet maker’s East Devon headquarters. The next ten minutes or so are spent unloading the large sheep, then it’s back to business as, tucking into a Tunnock’s tea cake, Mr Boyd relates how Axminster is doing since its administration
This attention to detail combined with the expertise of its staff and specialist machinery that can combine up to 20 different colours into a single carpet are the reason for Axminster’s long-standing reputation for quality. This is why, says Mr Boyd, the company’s client list includes the Albert Hall and Buckingham Palace which have both required the firm to produce intricate designs which must work in large, unusually shaped spaces. “The whole intention is to push ourselves up and up to the top end of the business based on ability and skill,” he said. As we tour the sprawling Axminster factory, past carpets in various stages of production,Mr Boyd reels off a list of where the various weaves are headed for. EasyJet, Cathay Pacific, Siemens and Chiltern Railways are among the transport brands that Axminster has built a strong reputation with, creating high quality, hard-wearing and lightweight carpets. A black and gold ostentatious design that’s part-finished on a loom as we walk
1755
20
When Thomas Whitty first began making Axminster method carpets
Number of colours that Axminster can combine into a single carpet
back in March. Turnover has doubled between now and its first month back in business and it is now very close to the sales target that was set as it came out of administration. When the old business went under it laid off 300 employees. When Axminster 2.0, now called Axminster Carpets (2013) Ltd, was launched it kept on the remaining 100 staff and has since recruited an additional 50 workers. Mr Boyd became involved with Axminster after Mark Greaves, from the company’s auditor Francis Clark, was asked by administrators if he could suggest anyone who could help turn the business around. Then chairman of Wellington-based cosmetics firm Swallowfield and Yeovil-based leather goods business Pittards, Mr Boyd’s name quickly entered the frame. “I’m used to situations like this where the administrators have to move fairly quickly because there is always the risk you will lose the customer base while you’re sorting things out,” he said. The deal saw three investors put money into the business – Stephen with a majority stake, another individual and the Axminster directors. “It’s such an exciting prospect to take on an iconic brand like this which, for whatever reason, has got into difficulty and to bring it back into its full glory,” he said. The contracts are certainly
past is for a hotel in America owned by Donald Trump. Other recent orders have included one for a committee room in the US House of Representatives. It’s clear from the way Mr Boyd speaks that he’s throwing himself into his role as chairman – and relishing the chance to breathe new life into a heritage brand. He said: “There was a Family Fortunes question where families were asked to name a chocolate business and 76 per cent chose Cadbury’s. Then they were asked to name a carpet business and 81 per cent said Axminster. As a brand it’s even more iconic than Cadbury’s – it’s such an exciting prospect to do something with that brand.” One of the reasons for the fir m’s administration, Mr Boyd believes is that it had not moved on from its heyday in the 1970s and 80s. He is partway through making some changes aimed at bringing the business up to date. An apprentice programme is about to start and the company has, for the first time in its history now got two female directors on its board. And with changing times meaning that many householders now have solid floors Axminster is, for the first time in its 258-year history about to move into rug production. “It’s a great British brand – it’s just fabulous,” he says, grinning broadly, before I leave.
After a year which has seen it enter and exit administration, Axminster Carpets is well and truly back in business under chairman Stephen Boyd. Liz Parks joined him for a tour of the firm’s East Devon factory
Stephen Boyd has run the British Cellophane factory at Bridgwater and served as chairman at Pittards and Swallowfield during his career
coming in and the “new” Axminster Carpets has introduced a more efficient production system that has seen it decouple from its Buckfast spinning mill, while transferring some of the equipment to its East Devon base. A training programme for staff, called Pride and Passion, has also been introduced with the aim of making everyone responsible for the quality of the finished product. The factory uses a mixture of modern and traditional technology with a yarn feed in system called “smart creel” as well as old-style bobbins. In a darkened, upper level of the factory, light is shone up from beneath carpets to show any gaps in the weave. Any minor flaws are then corrected by hand.
Stephen Boyd says that his background in chemical engineering, which included a stint working in the textile industry, has given him all the insight he needs into Axminster’s manufacturing processes; above, working looms in the factory, and a sample of carpet produced there
8 WEST COUNTRY BUSINESS THURSDAY OCTOBER 17 2013 WESTERN DAILY PRESS
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Senior 278 +13 Hargreaves Lansdown 1090 +50 312Trent +13 6501/2 +121/2 MITIE 730 3501/4 Severn Micro Focus Intl 798 +30 United Utilities 1175 +7 Kentz 1239 Corp 638 535 +18 1194 +5 Savills 1218 940 642 +21 +3 101 930 -5 F&C 939Asset563Mngmt AIM +8 Balfour Beatty 283 3 3 1 1 471 /4 +1 /4 482 /4 237 /2 1pm294 Pace +8 1329 -1 Cable 1409 & 1009 Century Tech+1 W Comm 21st42 1 4
AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rubber 5331/2 -91/2 BAE 4431/4 +41/8 Chemring Group 215 +31/2 Cobham 276 -4 Meggitt 546 +21/2 QinetiQ 1931/8 +27/8 Rolls-Royce 1102 -13 Senior 2781/4 +133/8 Ultra Electronics 1914 +42
5501/2 468 3531/4 3073/4 564 2111/8 1240 2883/8 1981
3101/8 3003/4 2111/8 1901/8 3661/4 179 8441/2 1857/8 1505
AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 3673/4 -1/4 3677/8 201 Torotrak 27 -1/4 351/2 231/2 BANKS Barclays Bk of Ireland HSBC Lloyds Banking Gp Royal Bank of Scotland Standard Chartered BEVERAGES Barr (AG) Britvic Diageo SABMiller CHEMICALS Carclo Croda Intl Elementis Johnson Matthey Porvair Synthomer Treatt Victrex Zotefoams
2835/8 211/2 6853/4 761/2 3791/8 14991/2
521 /2 600 1938 3040 1
389 2505 2351/4 2960 2623/4 249 6021/2 1634 190
+33/4 3337/8 +11/8 203/8 -15/8 7697/8 78 +21/8 3847/8 1 +28 1837 /2
+ /2 588 /2 432 /4 +14 600 3491/8 +3 21361/2 17461/2 +9 3657 2599 1
1
641 1423
1
-1 501 3423/4 -31 2841 2164 5 -2 /8 275 2041/4 -18 2987 2190 -53/4 2981/2 133 +67/8 2491/4 146 -6 6321/2 356 +6 1765 1380 -11/2 224 1861/2
CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Alumasc 127 137 Balfour Beatty 2833/8 +83/8 3203/4 1 1 Boot (Henry) 186 /2 +3 /2 201 Boustead 181/2 181/2 Clarke (T) 673/8 -1/2 69 Costain 266 306 CRH 1580 +18 1580 Galliford Try 1140 +5 1140 Gleeson (MJ) 3421/8 +47/8 3543/4 Keller Group 1046 +6 1161 Kier Group 1772 +30 1772 1060 Kingspan Group 10511/2 Low & Bonar 743/4 +11/4 80 1 Marshalls 182 + /2 184 Morgan Sindall Gp 813 -2 819 1471/2 North Midland Const 1171/2 1 34 Pochins 33 /2 Titon 44 451/2 ELECTRICITY Drax Gp SSE
2271/2 73/4 5953/4 401/4 2661/8 1395
791/2 2075/8 1231/2 181/2 40 2261/4 1090 678 142 565 1106 6133/8 50 85 508 95 20 22
+2 7171/2 -20 1676
520 1364
ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQ Dialight 1182 +7 1399 Domino Printing Sci 680 +15 717 Eurodis Electron 1 1 Halma 540 +51/2 578 3 3 1 Laird 224 /8 +2 /8 249 /4 Morgan Advanced 2997/8 +1/4 318 Oxford Instruments 1342 -13 1752 Renishaw 1676 -16 2081 13/8 Ross Group 11/4 Spectris 2245 +12 2470 1 3 TT Electronics 198 /2 +2 /4 200 Volex 1197/8 +1/2 1703/4 Xaar 800 898 XP Power 1570 1575
9991/2 522 1 4103/8 1 171 /8 2361/8 1209 1494 1 /2 1594 114 84 2571/2 927
EQUITY INV INSTRUMENTS Aberforth Smaller Cos 9691/2 -11/2 Alliance Trust 4383/4 +61/4 Bankers IT 574 +41/2 BlackRock Wld Mining 4853/4 +3/4 British Assets Trust 1401/4 +3/4 British Emp Secs&Gen 4951/2 +31/2 Caledonia Investment 1865 +23 City of London IT 367 +1 Dexion Absolute 1545/8 +3/8 Edinburgh Inv Tst 563 -91/2 Electra Private Equity 2242 +13 Fidelity Euro Value 1533 +18 Foreign&Colonial 3733/4 +33/4 JP Morgan Japan IT 2441/2 -3/4 JPM Euro IT Gwth 217 +15/8 Mercantile IT 1447 +25 Merchants Trust 4981/4 +33/8 Middlefield Canadian 104 +1/2 Monks Inv Tst 386 +31/2 Murray Income Tst 782 +11 Murray International Tst 1131 +3 North American Inc 855 Perpetual Inc&Grwth 352 -1/4 RIT Cap Partners 1242 +4 Scottish Inv Tst 596 +10 Scottish Mortgage 965 +11 SVG Capital 3931/8 +13/4 Temple Bar IT 1206 +10
1000 4641/4 5821/2 6221/2 1401/4 522 1935 3741/2 155 621 2398 1533 383 2473/4 217 1447 507 115 390 820 1245 9151/2 364 1285 606 965 416 1232
655 3633/4 427 4241/2 1163/8 445 1457 3033/4 137 4861/2 1785 1174 3041/4 1541/2 160 1020 3611/2 991/2 300 6561/2 9821/2 6671/2 2751/2 1108 464 6671/2 2577/8 961
Templeton Emerging Mkts Witan Inv Tst
580 639
FIXED LINE TELECOMS BT Group 359 Cable & Wire Comm 421/8 Colt Group 1221/2 KCOM 963/8 Talktalk Telecom 2553/8 Telecom Plus 1412
+2 +3
FORESTRY & PAPER Mondi 1094 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 363 Aberdeen Asset Mgt 4131/2 Brewin Dolphin 271 Close Bros Group 1276 F&C Asset Mngmt 1013/8 Guinness Peat 283/4 Hargreaves Lansdown 1090 Henderson Group 2055/8 ICAP 3651/8 IG Group 6101/2 Intermediate Capital 4845/8 Investec 431 IP Group 137 London Stock Exchange 1621 Man Group 827/8 Paragon 336 Provident Finl 1615 Rathbone Brothers 1537 Schroders 2568 Schroders NV 2159 Tullett Prebon 3243/4 World Trade Systems 41/2
514 474
+45/8 359 2121/2 +11/8 461/4 341/4 -11/8 1351/2 931/2 +23/8 963/8 681/4 +1/4 276 1783/4 +32 1412 830
FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Greggs 439 +6 Morrison (Wm) 2811/8 -5/8 Sainsbury (J) 3975/8 +21/4 Tesco 3651/2 +1 Thorntons 103 -13/4 FOOD PRODUCERS Anglo-East Plantations 638 Assoc Brit Foods 1995 Carr's Milling 1719 Cranswick 1075 Dairy Crest Group 494 Devro 3191/4 Glanbia 8263/8 Greencore Gp 162 Kerry Group A 37031/2 Premier Foods 1761/2 REA Hldgs 3721/2 Tate & Lyle 7621/2 Unilever 2399
678 644
5231/2 3021/2 4003/4 3873/4 1073/4
3921/8 2485/8 3217/8 3101/2 285/8
-6 754 621 +30 2031 1345 +79 1719 909 +20 1189 733 +1 5281/2 3427/8 +51/4 380 2897/8 +155/8 937 616 +1/2 162 88 -105/8 40741/2 31925/8 +81/4 1761/2 593/4 -2 500 3591/4 +71/2 883 711 -4 2885 2262
+10
1102
625
+41/4 3871/2 2053/4 +31/4 4921/8 3181/4 +1/4 283 1693/4 -24 1300 830 +31/8 1103/8 90 331/2 231/2 1 +50 1090 679 /2 +31/8 2055/8 1091/8 +3/4 4221/4 2803/4 +6 6131/2 4163/4 +53/4 5011/2 2871/4 +21/4 5131/2 3643/8 -1/4 1585/8 1051/8 +1 1652 930 -3/4 1343/8 713/4 5 +2 /8 3545/8 237 -41 1773 1287 +32 1691 1208 -74 2650 1518 -40 2209 1218 -41/4 3957/8 219 41/2 41/2
GENERAL INDUSTRIALS British Polythene 650 +2 650 3721/2 REXAM 481 -51/4 5471/2 4305/8 RPC 4741/8 +113/4 4773/4 378 Smith (DS) 2991/2 +41/2 2991/2 1971/2 Smiths Group 1398 +3 1419 1018 GENERAL RETAILERS Alexon 27/8 Ashley (L) 251/4 Beale 10 Brown (N) 519 Caffyns 430 Carpetright 620 Carphone Whse 259 Darty 731/2 Debenhams 110 Dignity 1355 Dixons Retail 463/8 Dunelm Group 853 Euro Home Retail 21 Findel 2403/4 Flying Brands Units 25/8 French Connection 283/4 Halfords 3901/4 Home Retail 178 Howden Joinery Gp 3135/8 HR Owen 171 Inchcape 623 JD Sports Fashion 1155 Kingfisher 3795/8 Lookers 1221/2 Mallett 80 Marks & Spencer 4853/4 Moss Bros Group 68 Mothercare 3923/4 Next 5120 Pendragon 341/2 Signet Jewelers 4659 Ted Baker 1669 Topps Tiles 853/4 WH Smith 900
27/8 -1/4 291/2 201/2 +91/2 577 450 -271/2 7011/2 -2 261 -11/2 881/4 3 +1 /4 1233/4 -3 16871/8 +1/4 475/8 -11 1047 21 +3/4 2533/4 61/2 -1 34 +1/4 406 +37/8 178 +35/8 3135/8 1723/4 +1 645 +5 1155 +5/8 420 1281/2 841/2 +23/8 5131/2 -1/2 747/8 4923/4 +50 5205 351/4 +93 4934 -38 2017 +1/4 94 9051/2
27/8 24 91/2 316 365 585 162 39 783/4 5 992 /8 203/8 613 21 108 23/8 23 299 1041/8 1603/8 61 3803/4 670 2687/8 711/2 611/2 359 531/2 2571/4 3542 131/2 3053 920 47 6061/2
HEALTH CARE EQPMNT & SERV Bioquell 1521/2 160 130 Consort Medical 9021/2 +11/2 9021/2 6601/2 Smith & Nephew 783 -5 800 638 Southern Cross 61/4 61/4 61/4 Healthcare
Synergy Healthcare UDG Hlthcare
1020 3241/8
1165 9191/2 -7/8 3605/8 217
HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 133 -2 Barratt Developments 3421/8 +3/4 Bellway 1474 +21 Berkeley Grp Hldgs 2303 +32 Bovis Homes 783 Gaskell 21/4 Headlam Group 378 -3 McBride 1161/2 +1/4 Persimmon 1211 +9 Reckitt Benckiser 4309 -55 Redrow 254 +2 Taylor Wimpey 1113/4 +15/8 Victoria 2321/2
1353/4 3551/4 1502 2340 8511/2 21/4 415 1463/4 1305 4950 2551/8 1133/4 245
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Assoc Brit Engineering 135 Bodycote 6601/2 +7 Castings 4181/2 -61/2 Fenner 4087/8 +51/2 Goodwin 37121/2 -71/2 Hill & Smith 462 +2 IMI 1528 +29 Melrose Ind 3035/8 +1/8 Molins 1721/2 +21/2 MS Intl 1741/2 Renold 391/4 -3/4 Rotork 2859 +15 Severfield-Rowen 64 +41/2 Spirax-Sarco 2898 -21 Tex Hldgs 75 Trifast 70 Vitec Group 686 +5 Weir Group 2338 -19
145 115 685 3623/4 450 291 4351/4 3057/8 3820 1575 480 369 1528 902 3123/4 2067/8 178 1231/2 2611/2 1731/2 411/4 163/4 3037 2229 1473/4 371/4 3090 20031/4 781/2 521/2 703/4 401/2 736 559 2474 1688
INDUSTRIAL METALS First Quantum Minerals 1121
-1
543/8 1811/4 951 1480 4891/4 21/4 3021/2 101 745 3633 1527/8 565/8 1871/2
1492 8721/2
INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 3173/4 +1 326 1953/4 Braemar Shipping 518 +16 520 350 Clarkson 2360 -10 2370 1150 Fisher (J) 1104 +12 1148 768 Irish Continental Units 21513/4 +57/8 22131/8 15007/8 Ocean Wilsons 960 11571/2 8971/2 Stobart Gp Ord 1231/2 -11/2 1251/2 741/2 UK Mail Gp 590 -9 645 265 Wincanton 115 +11/2 115 433/4 LEISURE GOODS Games Workshop 775 8231/2 601 Hornby 783/4 871/2 551/4 3 3 Photo-Me 125 /4 +2 /4 1253/4 49 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva Hansard Global Legal & General Old Mutual Prudential Resolution St James Place Standard Life
4353/8 115 2023/4 1971/4 1208 341 640 3631/4
MEDIA 4imprint Bloomsbury Pub BSkyB Centaur Media Chime Comms City of London Group Creston Daily Mail & Gen Tst Daily Mail A Euromoney Instl Inv Future Haynes Publishing HIBU Huntsworth Indep News&Media Informa ITE Group ITV Johnston Press Moneysupermarket.com Pearson Quarto Group Reed Elsevier Rightmove STV Group Tarsus Group Trinity Mirror United Business UTV Wilmington WPP
595 1681/2 878 511/4 3151/4 611/2 1013/4 8621/2 789 1080 147/8 195 1 /8 661/2 7 524 2881/8 1901/8 127/8 1473/4 1314 1601/2 843 2536 2721/2 234 125 7221/2 188 2181/2 1290
MINING Anglesey Mining Anglo American Anglo Pacific Res Antofagasta Hldgs Aquarius Platinum Avocet Mining BHP Billiton Bisichi Mining Coalfield Res Kazakhmys Kenmare Lonmin
51/4 15591/2 1981/4 891 483/4 14 1850 110 57/8 2605/8 23 323
+71/4 +1/4 +15/8 +11/8 +13 +41/4 +81/2 +13/4
4353/8 136 2035/8 2215/8 1232 341 6411/2 4213/4
2941/8 841/4 1321/2 1661/8 8341/2 2071/4 3773/8 2821/4
+10 600 335 +1/4 169 102 +31/2 8991/2 709 -15/8 60 31 -23/4 324 2061/2 75 581/2 109 751/4 8821/2 515 1 +16 /2 835 4511/4 +10 1209 7471/2 +21/4 213/8 121/4 195 157 1 1 /2 /8 1 - /2 67 37 5 1 +1 8 /8 2 /2 +4 545 3801/2 +23/4 3073/8 1831/2 +31/8 1901/8 855/8 +1/8 19 97/8 +23/4 221 134 +3 1350 1119 1621/2 136 1 -2 /2 8531/2 600 +12 2536 1436 +11/2 2721/2 933/4 -51/2 2483/4 175 1281/4 511/4 +6 788 636 -11/2 195 1151/2 +41/2 2181/2 1273/4 +9 1296 788
-91/2 -21/2 +21/2 -11/2 +1/4 +71/2 +11/2 +1/4 -71/2 -15/8 -13/4
151/2 51/4 2072 1207 289 161 1381 7841/2 751/4 36 821/4 63/4 1 2236 1666 /2 1261/2 95 87/8 27/8 826 2333/4 423/4 23 5151/2 2531/2
Randgold Res Rio Tinto Vedanta Res
4393 3215 1046
-7 -4
7615 3757 1335
3972 2582 992
MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS Inmarsat 721 +51/2 749 5421/2 Vodafone Group 225 +3 225 1541/2 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1215 -8 1416 Amlin 410 4351/8 1 7 Beazley 219 /8 -1 /8 2423/4 1 Catlin Group 505 +8 /4 5521/2 Jardine Lloyd Thom 9681/2 +161/2 9681/2 RSA Insurance Gp 119 +1/2 1361/4
1019 3641/8 1671/4 4551/4 723 1073/4
OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG Group 12251/2 +81/2 13501/2 10001/2 BP 4453/4 +11/8 4831/4 4165/8 Cairn Energy 276 +2 2961/8 2513/4 Dragon Oil 6101/2 +101/2 662 510 - 121/2 71/8 Fortune 81/8 JKX Oil & Gas 711/4 -3/4 803/8 481/2 Premier Oil 3313/4 -31/4 4001/4 3211/4 Royal Dutch Shell A 2060 +161/2 23091/2 1987 Royal Dutch Shell B 21631/2 +201/2 2365 20771/2 Soco International 3981/4 +3/8 430 3197/8 Tullow Oil 1001 +14 1458 9751/2 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1100 -3 1127 9651/2 Hunting 810 941 716 Petrofac 1409 -1 1737 1194 1 Wood Gp(J) 793 -3 /2 9151/2 7201/2 PERSONAL GOODS Abbeycrest 11/2 11/2 11/2 Burberry Gp 1464 1667 1134 Creighton 43/4 51/2 11/2 Lambert Howarth 181/2 181/2 181/2 1 1 PZ Cussons 405 /8 +6 /4 4321/2 3263/8 Worthington Group 3 8 3 PHARMA & BIOTECH 3 3 Ark Therapeutics /8 + 35/8 /8 AstraZeneca 31591/2 -231/2 35211/2 27921/2 BTG 3773/4 +41/4 3977/8 3171/2 Dechra Pharms 695 +3 780 569 Genus 1378 +38 1594 1284 GlaxoSmithKline 1575 1782 13171/2 Hikma Pharmaceuticals 1113 +18 1113 7251/2 Oxford Biomedica 23/8 - 27/8 13/8 Shire 2513 +23 2593 1727 SkyePharma 891/4 -23/4 1013/4 431/2 Source Bioscience 101/4 117/8 91/8 Vectura 112 +1 117 77 REAL ESTATE Big Yellow Gp Bolton Group (Intl) British Land Capital & Regional Cardiff Property CLS Daejan Hldgs Derwent London Development Secs Grainger Great Portland Est Hammerson Helical Bar Highcroft Invs Intu Properties Land Securities London & Assoc Prop McKay Secs Mountview Estates Mucklow (A & J) Panther Securities Primary Health Props Quintain Est & Dev Savills Schroder Real Est SEGRO Shaftesbury Smart (J) St Modwen Props Stewart & Wight Town Centre TR Property IT Unite Group
461 15/8 6041/2 44 845 1151 4055 2555 1983/4 183 588 5141/2 296 660 3291/4 968 38 182 6625 458 3271/2 313 89 642 351/4 3257/8 6111/2 85 342 526 2241/2 2131/2 3943/8
-4 +4 -1/4 -23 +14 +20 -41/4 +41/2 +7 +6 -2 -10 3 - /4 +10 +13/4 -12 -21/4 +21 +3 /4 +71/2 1
+7 +1 +11/4 +61/4
SOFTWARE & COMP SERV Anite 763/4 -353/4 DRS Data & Research 221/4 Electronic Data Proc 68 +1 Emblaze 491/2 Fidessa Gp 1943 -17 Gresham Computing 126 +21/2 Innovation Group 31 Invensys 501 -2 1 Kofax 350 /2 -21/2 Microgen 1273/4 Parity 351/2 -1/4 RM 1113/8 -15/8 Sage Group 320 SDL 259 Triad Group 11 SUPPORT SERVICES Acal 295 Aggreko 1474
+12 -11
465 15/8 658 441/4 845 1260 4200 2555 209 1871/2 598 554 3021/2 695 366 994 38 182 6625 500 3421/2 3641/2 92 6641/2 351/4 3257/8 668 901/2 342 600 230 2161/2 403 162 23 721/2 61 2190 1 140 /2 31 5091/2 388 1551/2 44 1141/4 1 387 /4 590 161/2
3227/8 15/8 506 223/4 730 6561/2 2706 1999 143 1051/8 4511/2 4583/4 178 560 3005/8 7621/2 211/2 1311/2 4350 3411/2 285 3121/2 513/4 4021/2 351/4 2215/8 5221/2 721/2 194 525 1783/4 1571/2 2603/4 763/4 151/4 501/2 43 1275 3 62 /4 203/4 270 2603/4 112 181/2 64 3043/8 259 51/2
295 1573/4 2302 1442
Ashtead Gp Atkins (WS) Babcock Intl Berendsen Brammer Bunzl Capita Group Carillion Communisis DCC De La Rue Diploma Electrocomponents Essentra Experian G4S Harvey Nash Hays Homeserve Hyder Consulting Interserve Intertek Group Jarvis Journey Group Latchways Lavendon Litho Supplies Macfarlane Grp Management Cons Mears Group Menzies (J) MICE Group Michael Page Intl MITIE Group Northgate Office2office Paypoint Premier Farnell Regus Rentokil Initial Ricardo Robert Walters RPS Group Serco Group Shanks SIG Smiths News Speedy Hire St Ives SThree Travis Perkins Tribal Grp Vp Waterman Group Wolseley
7 8
3 8
1 8
3 8
3 8
1 8
9631/2 3113/4 64 2595 946 6601/2 2781/2 7511/2 1183 2403/8 911/2 1223/4 2295/8 533 6031/2 3294 93/8 149 1275 1861/4 5 381/2 1 26 /2 4123/4 8411/2 6 4711/2 7 312 /8 4453/4 393/8 1080 219 1991/4 1073/4 595 313 2763/4 527 100 1921/4 210 68 1703/4 349 1778 1871/2 505 61 3240
3250 2220
TRAVEL & LEISURE 888 Holdings 1645/8 Air Partner 4871/2 Bwin.Party Digital 1165/8 Carnival 2060 Compass 865 easyJet 1279 Enterprise Inns 1561/2 FirstGroup 1193/4 Fuller S.T.A. 900 Go-Ahead Gp 1668 Greene King 8071/2 Intercontl Htls 1853 Intl Cons Airl 350 Ladbrokes 1867/8 Marston's 1481/2 Millennium & Copth 575 Mitchells & Butlers 3951/8 National Express 256 Paddy Power 47473/4 Punch Taverns 145/8 Rank Group 154 Restaurant Grp 558 Ryanair Hldgs 5233/4 Sportech 84 Stagecoach 3343/8 Thomas Cook 1501/4 TUI Travel 3763/4 Wetherspoon (JD) 736 Whitbread 3275 William Hill 4193/4 UTILITIES Centrica Dee Valley National Grid Pennon Group
7 8
3 8
-7 +5 +1 +15 +1 +51/2 7 +5 /8 +8 +2 -11/4 -1/2 +3/8 -13 +6 +9 -10 +1/2 -21/4
+1 +1/8 -63/4 +211/2 -23/8 +137/8 -33/4 +10 +23/4 +51/4 -1/8 +5 -5 7 +3 /8 1 +10 /2 +21/2 +21/4 +16 -2 -21/2 1 -10 /2 +6 +5 -5 -2 -13
1057 713 3313/4 2443/4 68 343/4 2713 217/8 1075 8911/2 661 435 2821/2 2037/8 830 543 1288 980 3131/2 2071/2 953/8 54 1223/4 763/4 5 5 293 /8 185 /8 539 377 6031/2 3491/8 3453 2800 93/8 93/8 149 1151/2 1345 940 1961/2 126 5 5 381/2 237/8 1 32 21 /4 4301/4 283 8411/2 573 6 6 5021/2 3463/8 7 312 /8 248 4491/2 249 1301/2 333/4 1185 750 2383/8 1651/2 1991/4 96 1111/4 85 5 595 349 /8 335 191 2763/4 1951/2 6831/2 5161/2 100 73 1933/4 102 211 142 70 311/2 1801/2 981/2 370 2991/4 1778 1060 2061/2 921/4 510 313 63 361/2 3483 26365/8
TECH HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT ARM Hldgs 1030 +12 1097 BATM Adv Comms 183/8 +1/8 21 3 3 Bede /4 /4 CML Microsystems 525 -21/2 550 CSR 530 -6 607 Filtronic 655/8 -5/8 831/4 1 1 Imagination Tech 280 /4 -3 /4 552 Northamber 331/2 361/2 Pace 294 +83/8 3191/4 3 3 Plasmon /8 /8 Spirent Comms 1241/4 -27/8 1691/4 Vislink 441/8 -1/4 491/2 Wolfson Microelectronics 1511/4 -3/4 2261/4 TOBACCO British Amer Tobacco Imperial Tobacco
3 8
+29 +31
591 133/4 3 /4 364 332 303/4 2351/8 271/2 1611/4 3 /8 118 245/8 140
3784 3069 /2 2534 2120 1
+5/8 186 1023/4 +11/2 495 2721/2 -31/8 156 1011/4 -7 2628 2030 +1/2 9101/2 6711/2 +7 1448 6001/2 +13/4 1561/2 653/4 -3/4 2233/4 92 +241/2 969 726 +4 1697 1220 +2 8971/2 587 +8 2039 1524 +23/4 350 1543/4 +13/8 2431/8 1673/8 +1/2 1651/2 1183/4 +9 5821/2 456 +11/8 460 296 -33/4 2747/8 1641/2 -641/2 59781/8 46043/8 -1/8 151/2 61/8 -5 1771/2 1371/4 575 364 1 +2 /4 6341/8 3731/8 1 - /4 108 621/2 +2 3375/8 2657/8 -7/8 1705/8 191/2 +13/4 4011/2 2463/4 +1 767 4933/4 +24 3303 2300 -4 4941/2 3287/8
365 /8 -2 /2 402 /4 310 /4 1460 +15 1470 1325 752 -5 8471/2 682 6951/2 +3 7341/2 598 3
1
1
3
1 8
600 Group Abbey Advanced Medical S Alkane Energy Alliance Pharma Amerisur Resources Aminex Andrews Sykes Antisoma Aortech API Ashley House ASOS Aukett Fitzroy Robinson Avanti Capital Avesco Gp Bailey (CH) BCB Holdings Berkeley Mineral Resources Best of the Best Billington Hldgs Braime (TF & JH) 'A' N/ Vtg Capital Mngt & Inv Celtic Chamberlin Clean Energy Brazil Clear Leisure Coal of Africa Colefax Concurrent Tech Connemara Mining Company CPL Resources Crimson Tide Cropper (J) Daisy Gp Dart Group Densitron Tech Dewhurst Dewhurst A Dillistone Group Dolphin Capital Investors Ebiquity Eckoh Eco Animal Health Egdon Resources Eleco Eros Intl Faroe Petroleum Feedback FII Group Finsbury Food Fletcher King Forbidden Technologies Futura Medical Fyffes Global Energy Gooch & Housego Grafenia Great Eastern Energy Green Compliance Griffin Mining GW Pharmaceuticals Hampden Underwriting Havelock Europa Hayward Tyler Heavitree Brewery Heavitree Brewery A Helphire Grp Highland Gold Mining Hirco Hydro Intl I S Solutions Imaginatik Independent Res IndigoVision Interior Services Iomart James Halstead Jelf Group Johnson Service Latham (J) Leed Petroleum Lok'n Store London Capital London Security M&C Saatchi Majestic Wine Mercer Resources Metro Baltic Horizons Mirada Miton Group Mulberry Group Nanoco Group Nasstar Nationwide Accid Repair Netcall Next 15 Comms Nichols Nighthawk Energy North River Resources Northern Bear Numis Corp Optimal Payments
Price % rise
+/- chng Year Wk%
+5.06 +4.81 +4.65 1807 +3.91 705 +3.48 +3.38 +3.21 +3.05 401/2 +2.94 75/8 +2.85
+8.50 +11.05 +10.21 -7 2090 +7.841 +11/+8.52 2 787 /2 +7.72 +6.46 +7.357 45 /8 +17.84 1 - /+4.72 8 16
High
Year Fallers ▼ Low
5
1
1981/2 631/2 89 25/8 3 8 1 287 /2 39 47/8
200 32 +3/8 66 371/2 185 76 71/2 25/8 1 1 7 + /8 5 /2 2 /8 -1/4 23 71/8 2921/2 2221/2 541/2 39 91/4 47/8
502 /2 15/8 4171/2 1501/2 246 6 500 300 1001/2 405/8 120 243/4 194 85/8 223/4 2421/2 1271/2 5 /8 63/4 691/2 32 301/2 1 65 /4 65 96 5801/2 213/4 195 11/8 293/4 147 130 191/2 493/4 325 180 51/4 681/4 20 1101/2 473/4 1 /8 73/4 299 2721/2 268 2891/2 861/4 51 375 1 /8 1911/2 1 32 /4 1790 300 533 11/8 111/4 93/8 42 1008 1 150 /2 111/2 601/2 45 93 1145 5 10 /8 5 /8 231/2 2421/4 286
507 /2 262 /2 13/4 11/8 420 1701/2 1511/2 85 2691/4 761/2 93/4 51/4 5421/2 4371/2 3721/2 2721/2 1091/2 661/2 405/8 253/4 1211/2 92 243/4 137/8 270 194 117/8 65/8 241/8 7 277 1871/2 3 1 163 /4 105 /2 3 3 /4 /8 63/4 63/4 773/4 38 32 25 35 181/2 3 80 47 /4 651/2 37 1 122 /2 69 5801/2 415 321/2 181/2 2731/2 195 7 8 /8 381/2 261/2 1 158 39 /2 1321/2 100 223/8 111/4 561/2 16 3371/2 325 1921/2 175 53/4 1 116 521/2 3 1 52 /8 19 /4 126 871/2 473/4 361/2 1 3 /8 /8 111/8 47/8 1 530 287 /2 2741/2 1321/2 319 192 669 2373/4 941/2 591/2 513/4 335/8 399 270 1 1 /4 /8 1911/2 1111/2 1 63 27 /2 1795 16871/2 3161/2 170 545 397 13/4 131/2 33/4 141/2 87/8 421/2 203/4 1449 850 199 565/8 133/8 93/4 78 481/2 45 28 115 791/2 1 1237 799 /2 111/4 3 3 11/8 /8 231/2 111/2 251 1063/4 286 1021/2
-1 /2 -1 +23/4
+2
-3 -21/2 -11/2 +1/2 -1/4 -11/4 +1/2 +15
-5 -1/4
-13/4
+ -1/8 1 -6 /2 +11/2 +1 -23/4
+2 - /2 1
-7 -51/2 +1/4 +11/4 -61 -71/2 +11/4 +12 -1/8 +1/4 +41/2
1
8
8
8
4
Pennant Intl Personal Group Petra Diamonds Petrel Resources Pittards Portmeirion Prime Active Cap Prime Focus London Prime People Progility Publishing Technology Pursuit Dynamics Qihang Eqpt Qonnectis RAM Active Media Rangers Intl Real Good Food Redhall Group Redstone Renew Holdings RGI International Rockhopper Exploration RTC Group Sabien Technology Safeland Sagentia Gp Scapa Group SciSys Services Power Tech Servoca Sinclair (Wm) Sirius Minerals Slingsby (HC) Software Radio Technology Sopheon SPDI Secure Statpro Sterling Energy Stilo International Strategic Natural Resources Sutton Harbour Swallowfield Synetics Taliesin Property Tasty Tawa Telford Homes Telme Group Ten Alps Terrace Hill Thorpe (FW) Total Produce Trakm8 Hldgs Transense Techs Travelzest Turbo Power Systems TVC Holdings Ultima Networks Univision URU Metals Vernalis Vertu Motors VPhase Walcom Group Walker Greenbank Weather Lottery West African Diamonds WYG Wynnstay Group Wynnstay Props XXI Century Inv Young Brewery A Young Brewery N/Vtg Zincox Resources Zoo Digital
-1 -13 -23 29 -27 1 11 /4 -5 -74 140 -7 131/2 -3 3 /8 -41 -2 86 5
8
1 2 1 2
1
1
7
cls
4
+/Fall p Price % fall
Price
5
611/2 20 97 38 1 1 552 /2 472 /2
1
3
5
49 97 1 542 /2
1
2
Kenmare Resources 23 Homeserve 229 Polymet 1513 Int Ottoman Fund525 Carpetright 620 647 Gp Oxeco Rank 154 & Co Schroders Panmure Gordon 2568 Kazakhmys Patagonia Gold 260 Bwin.Party Digital 116 1 Paternoster Res 13 /4 Provident Fin 1615 Penna Consulting 5 Comms Spirent 124
17 175/8 93/8 758 758 530 961/2 +21/2 961/2 54 391/4 -1/4 411/4 223/8 355/8 381/2 28 463/4 +1/4 58 391/4 1 3 2 /4 - 5 /4 2 3121/2 +17 3121/2 1991/2 1 3 1 /2 2 1 /8 1121/2 +61/2 1121/2 411/2 731/2 92 543/4 20 -3/8 203/8 107/8 5240 +100 5701 2135 5 51/8 21/4 55 74 531/2 2271/2 2271/2 154 200 2031/2 1521/2 163/4 213/4 131/2 21/8 3 21/8
1
1
2
8
8
801/2 4113/8 1181/2 155/8 25/8 685 7 55/8 1 72 /2 8 4921/2 22 61/2 331/2 2 493/4 1 60 /2 43 7 /8 1451/2 1 127 /4 1543/4 15 381/2 233/4 1411/2 86 711/2 3 4 /4 4 1041/2 9 375 7 29 /8
-6.69 -5.36 -4.28 -4.25 +1/4 -3.14 -2.80 -2.80 +3/4 -2.59 -2.48 -6 -2.28
+71/8 +1/4 -1/4
-11/2 -1/8 -1/8
+1/4 +31/2 -1 +2 +5 /2 1
+11/4 +23/4 -31/2 -3 +1/4 -1/4 -3/8
Year Year Wk% chng High Low -19.72 -5.94
37-11.6229 -4.913 141/2+0.13 8 /4 225+3.01 1321/2 27+5.93 8 5 -3.481 /8 /4 +0.811 971/2 -0.64 62 /2 891/2 38 4431/2 320 132 993/8 271/8 6 25/8 17/8 705 485 71/2 5 93/4 33/8 1 76 46 /2 133/4 7 520 97 521/2 9 13 61/4 37 25 101/2 2 1 93 41 /2 1 60 /2 36 75 411/2 3 103/8 /4 146 80 1 137 98 /8 1751/2 1123/4 17 11 411/2 20 233/4 51/4 147 821/2 951/2 611/2 821/2 581/2 57/8 33/4 4 23/8 1531/2 1041/2 291/4 83/8 5371/2 375 361/4 177/8
991/4 69 941/2 38 33/4 7 7 /8
150 77 -1 106 +3/4 411/2 47/8 28
741/2 601/8 731/2 331/4 35/8 77/8
261/2 81 489 1575 1121/2 17 3401/4 1351/2 11/4 261/4 125 673/4 34 67/8 11/4 1 /2 50 1 5 /8 21/4 287/8 60 1 /8 3 1461/2 1 /8 11/8 1091/8 608 275 13/4 990 6571/2 153/4 111/4
35 120 5021/2 16471/2 -1 1131/2 451/2 +91/2 3401/4 1391/2 23/4 1 + /8 261/4 +10 136 +13/4 673/4 +43/4 34 -1/4 13 + 61/4 7 + /8 84 1 1 /4 11/8 -1/4 31/2 -1/8 31 +55/8 60 7 /8 3 160 1 /4 31/8 -7/8 110 1 -1 /2 6091/2 275 4 10821/2 7271/2 52 171/2
213/4 721/2 2721/2 1065 501/2 17 132 86 11/8 3 9 /4 92 38 16 65/8 1 /4 1 /8 47 3 /4 1 /2 17/8 193/8 37 1 /8 1 2 /2 661/4 1 /8 7 /8 51 3981/2 1 272 /2 15/8 6921/2 5321/2 141/2 61/4
BRITISH FUNDS Consol 21/2% 5723/32 Consol 4% 9215/16 Conv 2.5% 7919/32 1 Tres 2 /2% 583/32 War Ln 31/2% 82 Tres 8% 15 11515/16 1 1 Tres 2 /2% IL 16 342 /4 Tres 83/4% 17 1285/32 Tres 8% 21 1399/16 Tres 5% 25 11927/32 Tres 6% 28 1337/16 Tres 41/4% 32 11129/32
-1/4 -11/16 -13/32 -5/16 -13/32 -1/32 -1/16 -3/32 -1/4 -3/8 7 - /16 -5/16
661/32 10029/32 9117/32 671/2 959/16 1237/8 3537/8 1387/32 15329/32 1331/2 1509/32 12523/32
561/16 901/8 76 533/4 7927/32 11515/16 3397/8 12731/32 1385/8 1185/32 13115/32 10911/16
Reports TODAY Interims Booker, BSkyB Trading updates Britvic, Diageo, Mothercare, Rank (AGM) TOMORROW Trading update Provident Financial Report CML lending estimate for September