First-half, pre-tax profits at Royal Doulton, the UK-based fine china and giftware group, rose by 17% to UK 4.2 million, due in part to the Japanese fascination with English goods. Sales in Japan were…
First-half, pre-tax profits at Royal Doulton, the UK-based fine china and giftware group, rose by 17% to UK 4.2 million, due in part to the Japanese fascination with English goods. Sales in Japan were up 25%. Group turnover rose from UK 108 million to UK 114.1 million, aided further by an increase in Australian sales, and the first contribution from Holland Studio Craft, acquired in January (see Glass Machinery Plants & Accessories No. 4-96). However, start-up costs from the Indonesian factory hit the group at a cost of almost UK 0.5 million. Earnings per share were lifted 20.5% to 5.3p and shareholders collect a 2.25p interim dividend on 5 November, up from 2p last time.