As previously reported, trading had been satisfactory and growing during the first half of the Group’s financial year, but a post Christmas lull in Ansaback sales in January continued into February when a major customer decided to take significant call volumes back in house. While the Board anticipated a recovery in sales from various order-line businesses and new multi-lingual contracts, this did not materialise. It is this type of call traffic that has been the principal customer base of the Romanian operation.
As a consequence of this, and due to the small size of the Group and its limited financial resources, it has been decided to close the office in Bucharest, whilst still retaining a contracted Romanian resource. The UK contact centre is unaffected.
The Group is expected to report Ansaback turnover substantially ahead of the year ended 30 June 2004, while CallScripter, with the benefit of the recently announced ININ OEM (original equipment manufacturer) deal, continues to perform satisfactorily. However the effects of the closure costs and the lower than anticipated call traffic in the third quarter will undoubtedly impact on the Group’s second half performance for the year ending 30 June 2005, which will be below market expectations with a loss being incurred during the second six months.
As previously the Group will announce its results for the year ending 30 June 2005 during August 2005. The board is committed to the strategy of building a profitable business and remains cautiously optimistic.
For further information please contact:
William Catchpole (Managing Director) 01473 321813
Stuart Gordon (Finance Director) 01473 321811
