Northamber returns to growth

Distributor tells of turnaround in fortunes in fiscal first half as losses halve

UK distributor Northamber returned to growth and halved its losses in the first half of its fiscal 2015.

Northamber chairman David Phillips admitted it made a "very pleasant change" to inform shareholders that revenues for the six months ending 31 December rose 18 per cent year on year to £35.7m, while pre-tax losses more than halved to £292,000.

The results follow years of declining sales for the once-mighty distributor, which dropped down from the main section of the London Stock Exchange to AIM in 2013.

Phillips, who majority owns Northamber, wasn't getting carried away, however, and struck a typical note of caution as he warned that a number of upcoming events could cause end users to delay purchases.

"As you will know from my previous reports, I have learned not to speculate or be overly optimistic and am hopeful that our improved trading performance will continue," he said.

"As we know from history, however, within both the sector and the economy as a whole, there are many unknowns. Not the least of which will be any delaying effects on the user base IT refresh intentions, resulting from Microsoft's awaited forthcoming release of Windows 10, following the belated abort of the Windows 9 launch, plus the upcoming general election."