No smiles for 1st Dental as business hit

DENTAL supplier 1st Dental Laboratories today said business problems it encountered earlier this year had contributed to a “disappointing” set of half-year results.

The Harrogate-based company recorded a loss of £141,000 for the six months to May 31, compared to a loss of £195,000 over the same period last year. Turnover was £4.87m compared to £5.37m last time. 

Chairman Andrew Garner said the company’s business disruptions, which 1st Dental has not elaborated on, had resulted in a downturn in turnover and margin at its Stourton and Blackpool laboratories.

Mr Garner said 1st Dental, which supplies bridges and crowns to dentists, hoped to rebuild its Blackpool business with the help of a dedicated sales and marketing team and believed the group could pick up performance over the second half of the year.

The company continued to show positive growth in the Midlands and Yorkshire and its e-teeth online service, which offers products for dentists at low prices, continued to grow, he said.

Mr Garner added: “These results are disappointing following the 2007 financial statements. However, this is due to the disruptions as previously mentioned and these laboratories are now recovering.

“Despite the business interruptions at the start of the year, the core laboratory business units are performing well, added to the continuing growth of e-teeth, a strengthened management team and board, the executives believe the company’s prospects to the end of the year are good.”

No comment was made this morning by 1st Dental, which issued a profits warning in July, about a cash approach that it received earlier this month.