Computacenter recovers from shaky Q1 2008

Mike Norris: "encouraged by sales performance"

After a shaky start to the year, infrastructure and services behemoth Computacenter enjoyed a strong Q2 and posted solid results for 2008's first six months.

For the six months to 30 June, revenue was up 7.8 per cent on H1 2007 to £1.25bn while pre-tax profit was down 14.2 per cent to £11m. Computacenter indicated it had endured a weak first six weeks of the year in France and the UK.

It claimed 2008's second quarter had been more positive and singled out the continuing improvement of its German operations driven by a move towards higher margin services. The company also claimed this year had seen its strongest organic UK revenue growth for some time.

Chief executive Mike Norris said: “After a challenging start to the year we are encouraged by the sales performance we recorded in the first half which is a continuation of the upward trend re-established in 2007. Although uncertainty remains in the marketplace there is a continuing need for customers to invest in information technology to improve their competitiveness.

"The investments we have been making to improve our services capabilities and the cost effectiveness of our sales operations position us well in a more difficult economic climate. While much remains to be done, management is confident of achieving its current expectations assuming no material deterioration in market conditions.”