15th Jan 2007 07:00
Helphire Group PLC15 January 2007 For release 07.00am 15 January 2007 Helphire Group Plc Trading Statement - January 2007 Trading for the first half of the year was in line with the Board'sexpectations, showing good progress on last year despite the unusually mildweather for the first four months. In the three month period to 31 December atotal of 34,075 hires started, (2005: 28,011 + 22%) 12,495 repairs werecompleted (2005: 10,094 + 24%) and over 7,900 personal injury claims wereprocessed (2005: 7369 + 7%). This means that in the first six months of the newfinancial year a total of 65,693 hires generated almost 1.5million car hire days(2005: 51,460 and 1.2million + 28% and + 25% respectively). The Group now employs over 1,900 people and is operating a fleet in excess of12,000 vehicles. A new account averaging over 1,000 hires per month has startedin January, which has begun with the usual high levels of business following theChristmas break. Total Accident Management (Total) the fleet accident management division of theGroup has agreed a contract to provide services to a leading contract hire andleasing company. Total now has over 50,000 vehicles under direct management andis growing strongly. A new, enlarged, call centre facility for the Automotive Division of the Grouphas been purchased in Northwich. This comprises 39,000 square feet of callcentre capacity and cost £6.42m which will be charged in the first six months ofthe year. Relocation to the new premises will be completed by the end ofJanuary. In September 2006, we announced that negotiations relating to the possibleacquisition of a large competitor were terminated during the period. A detaileddue diligence process had been undertaken and an exceptional charge relating toprofessional fees incurred in the course of this exercise of approximately £1mwill appear in the interim accounts. Overall, interim operating results for the six months to 31 December 2006 areexpected to be in line with market expectations and will be published towardsthe end of March 2007. Mark Jackson Chief Executive said:'This has been a good six months and the business continues to grow strongly.The market place is developing quickly and the business is well-positioned totake advantage of this and continue to win market share.' CONTACT:Helphire Group PlcNick Tilley, Company Secretary 01225 321 218 Adventis Financial PRChris Steele 020 7034 4759 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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