‘Resilient performance’ from Intelek

Ian Brodie (pictured), chief executive of the Swindon-based designer and manufacturer of electronic systems for satellite and microwave communications, said that Paradise Datacom, its satellite amplifier and modem business, had another successful year during which it gained a higher profile as a supplier of solid state power amplifiers to an increasing number of significant multi-year U.S. government programmes. Labtech Microwave, the microwave components and manufacturing services business, performed slightly ahead of last year with sales to the phased array radar and air traffic control markets continuing to show signs of growth, offsetting the expected expiry of a long-standing European telecommunications programme. CML, the group's aerostructures company, suffered from the decline of the corporate jet market but military aerospace sales increased with the Joint Strike Fighter project moving into its next pre-production stage. CML also benefited from its new involvement in fast turn-round composite work for the military transporter, A400M. Chairman, David Bramwell, commented: "I am pleased to report a resilient performance by Intelek in a year which presented all Group companies with significant challenges. A combination of growth in our government and defence business and continued attention to costs at all levels has enabled the Group to exceed management's expectations. Overall, the Board expects to see a return to sales growth year on year, whilst increasing investment in our facilities and product development as we prepare for growth in the years ahead." Sales for the year to March 31 were down 4% to £37.7 million (2009: £39.3m) while pre-tax profits dipped to £3.2 million (£3.7m).