ANS celebrates H1 2011 success

Manchester-based VAR claims to have biggest pipeline in its history as turnover jumps 63 per cent

Fast-growing VAR ANS has seen a whopping 63 per cent increase in turnover for the first six month of its 2011 financial year.

The Manchester and Stockport-based firm saw revenue hit £8.98m for the six months ended 30 September 2010, compared with £5.5m in the same period the previous year.

Profit increased by 31 per cent to £2.3m, up from £1.75m last year. It also has cash reserves of £2.4m.

Last month ANS also acquired storage and data-management VAR Alpha Business Computers, which the firm claims will bring a combined turnover of more than £35m when the deal is finalised. It warned there will be an "inevitable period of consolidation for the new entity" to come.

In a statement, ANS chairman Scott Fletcher, said: “We move into the second half of the year with a healthy order book which we expect to flow through to the bottom line prior to the year end. We have recruited eight additional members of staff since 1 April 2010 and still have vacancies for sales and technical people of the right calibre.

“I am confident that our credentials as a leading and innovative systems integrator and managed services provider, along with our reputation with our strategic vendors, provide the business a solid platform for continued growth.”

The statement said the managed services business will "continue to grow significantly in the future" and also that the firm has an order pipeline "larger than at any time during its history".

“As we move into the second half of the year, which traditionally is our busiest six months due to normal public sector spending plans, we are faced with some uncertainty caused by the much-publicised public expenditure cuts,” Fletcher said.

“Although we have seen a slowdown in decision making from our NHS and local government customers, business remains buoyant and we have seen a quickening of the decision-making process in the commercial sector, as the economy begins to show a gradual improvement in trading conditions.

“I have every confidence that ANS Group will continue to show controlled growth, with good cash management, and costs well managed to provide a platform for the future growth.”