Sanderson reports progress on all fronts

SOFTWARE and IT services group Sanderson has announced that sales order intake is ahead of last year

In a statement ahead of today’s AGM, Coventry-based Sanderson – which specialises in multi-channel retail and manufacturing markets in the UK and Ireland – Sanderson said it has made a good start to the current financial year (ending 30 September 2015). 

Chairman Christopher Winn said: “Trading results to the end of January 2015 are ahead of the comparative period for the year ended 30 September 2014 year.  Sales order intake is ahead of last year and the value of the group order book is higher than the £2.41m at 30 September 2014.”
 
Winn said the manufacturing division (incorporating the businesses which address companies in the manufacturing sector), has made a positive start and has gained six new customers, albeit at a lower average initial order value. 

“This compares with nine new customers during the whole of last year.  Consequently, the group business which focuses on the general manufacturing sector has achieved an improved level of trading,” he said.
 
“The multi-channel retail division which is continuing to increase its penetration of the online sales, ecommerce and catalogue markets has continued to achieve overall growth, notwithstanding a slowdown in the wholesale distribution and cash and carry market. 

“One iota, focused on the rapidly developing mobile commerce market, continues to forge ahead and in the period achieved a higher revenue than in the whole of the full year prior to its acquisition in October 2013.  The Proteus business which was acquired in December 2014, has also made a steady start as part of the group.”
 
Winn said Sanderson continues to invest for the future. 

“Product development, especially in the area of mobile solutions is continuing at a high level but in line with the board’s conservative policy, with the majority of the development continuing to be fully expensed as it is incurred,” he said. 

“The group is also making an additional investment in both operational management and sales and marketing.  This investment is not expected to have an adverse effect on profitability in the current year.”
 
In December Sanderson acquired Solihull’s Proteus Software for up to £1.9m and at the time hinted at further acquisitions.