7th May 2010 07:00
7 May 2010
SnackTime plc
("SnackTime" or the "Company")
Trading Update
SnackTime plc, one of the UK's largest national operators of snack and chilled drink vending machines, announces an update on its trading for the financial year ended 31 March 2010.
Following the successful integration of Snack in the Box in the second half of the year, the Company is pleased to announce that despite the challenging conditions within the UK economy over the last 12 months the Company expects to report profit before tax in line with market expectations.
Following the Company's successful placing in December 2009 of 3,414,800 new ordinary shares to raise approximately £5.8 million (before expenses), the business has repaid bank debt of £1 million and made significant investment in its sales and marketing activities in order to accelerate organic and acquisitive growth. The Company's sales and marketing teams have increased in size from two people to the current team of fifteen, which also now includes significant telemarketing activities. The net additional cost of both the increased number of people within the sales and marketing teams and an increase in the Company's marketing budget is expected to be approximately £0.75 million in the current financial year.
SnackTime's operated and franchise divisions anticipate continued strong growth in the current financial year. SnackTime is pleased to announce its first major public sector contract with Northamptonshire court services for the siting and operation of high quality hot drink machines. The Company is also in active discussions with a number of potential acquisition opportunities and SnackTime hopes to be able to conclude at least one acquisition during this financial year.
Blair Jenkins, CEO commented, "Following the placing in December, SnackTime has made substantial investment in the second half of last year in its sales and marketing activities and its general infrastructure. The Company is therefore confident that it will continue to win significant new business in both the public and private sectors because of its unique vending proposition which continues to be preferred by customers to traditional vending solutions. In addition, SnackTime is confident that selected acquisitions will add to SnackTime's market presence and growth in 2010."
The Company expects to announce its preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2010 in July 2010.
For further information:
SnackTime plc Blair Jenkins, Chief Executive Julia Brand, Finance Director
|
0118 977 3344 |
Arbuthnot Securities Tom Griffiths / Alasdair Younie
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020 7012 2000 |
Threadneedle Communications Josh Royston / Graham Herring
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020 7653 9850 |
END
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