16th Nov 2006 07:01
Helphire Group PLC16 November 2006 For release at 07.00 Thursday November 16th 2006 Helphire Group plc AGM Statement At the annual general meeting of Helphire Group which will be held at 11.00amtoday at the Francis Hotel, Queen's Square, Bath, the Chairman, , RodneyBaker-Bates, will make the following statement: 'Despite the dry, warm, summer weather continuing right through September thenew financial period has started well. In the three month period to 30September a total of 31,618 hires started, (2005: 23,449 + 35%) 11,956 repairswere completed (2005: 8,913 + 34%) and over 6,500 personal injury (PI) claimswere processed. The PI figure is a similar number to the same period last yearas several new accounts do not include PI claims. These cases generated netsales of £58.8M (2005: £41.6M + 41%). October saw a monthly total of a quarterof a million car hire days for the Group for the first time. The new call centre facility in Bristol is now operational. There are over 150employees working from this facility, which has a capacity of over 305employees. The Swift operation in Northwich has also moved into a new buildingand is occupying 14,000 square feet with an option on a further 25,000 squarefeet. A new automotive division is now based in Northwich which encompasses allof the Group's dealership, manufacturer, bodyshop and high street brokerbusiness. The demand for non-fault accident management continues to develop rapidly with anumber of large insurers actively investigating its use. Competitive pressurescontinue within the marketplace, however upward movement in commission paymentsis compensated for by the newly agreed daily rental rates and improvingoperational efficiency. The comprehensive range of accident management servicesprovided by the Group, including hire, repair, personal injury claim management,legal expenses insurance and uninsured loss recovery positions it favourably totake advantage of these market developments. Market research in continentalEurope is continuing and a 'country manager' has been appointed for Spain tofurther develop the proposition in that country. The first half of the new financial year ends on 31 December and interim resultsfor the six months to this date will be published in March 2007.' Enquiries to: Mark Jackson, CEO, Helphire Group plc 01225 321 000 Chris Steele, Adventis Financial PR, 020 7034 4759 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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