Trading Statement
01 Octubre 2003 - 2:01AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:3863Q
SectorGuard PLC
01 October 2003
SECTORGUARD PLC ('the Company')
TRADING STATEMENT
The Directors of SectorGuard Plc, the AIM listed specialist manned security
providers, are pleased to announce a trading update relating to the Company's
September 30th year-end and highlighting its recent successes and growth
strategy.
*The Company has continued its successful strategy of combining organic
growth with expansion by acquisition and is enjoying strong trading. The
increase in the critical mass of the business as well as the benefits we
have derived from economies of scale will be reflected in our year end
results, which are expected to be published in January.
*SectorGuard has developed particular expertise in the education sector
and during the course of the year has added Birkbeck College, Brunel
University, Henley College, Henley Management College, The School of
Oriental and African Studies and University College London to its client
list. Longer-term clients include East Berkshire College, Guildford College
and Regents College.
*The growth in the education sector is in addition to steady growth,
particularly through acquisition, in other industry sectors.
*SectorGuard has an extensive client base with a strong presence in London
and the Home Counties and has extended its geographical coverage to the
Midlands and the South Coast of England. The Company will be looking to
build on these operations in the coming year.
*Since the beginning of the calendar year, SectorGuard has completed and
integrated four acquisitions: the manned guarding contracts of Gainsborough
Events & Security Services Limited in January; the London division of UK
Guarding Services Ltd in March; the manned guarding business of London
Alliance Contract Services Ltd in April; and First Response Security
Services Limited in June. It is currently in negotiations with a further
three potential acquisition targets.
*SectorGuard has extensive cash resources available for both working
capital and potentially to finance acquisitions.
*In an analysis of the top 50 UK manned guarding businesses, financial
analyst Plimsoll Publishing Ltd placed SectorGuard 24th in size and 8th in
profitability.
*SectorGuard believes its continued success is largely due to the efforts
of its staff, which now number in excess of 700, and has continued its
investment in staff development and training. The Company believes in the
value of all employees being stakeholders in the future of the business, and
in March this year made a second distribution of share options to all
employees.
*The Board looks forward to reporting on its progress in greater detail in
this year's financial report.
* * E N D S * *
Issued on behalf of SectorGuard Plc by St Brides Media & Finance Ltd, 46 Bedford
Row, London WC1R 4LR
Contacts:
David Marks SectorGuard Plc Tel: 01279 724 777
Isabel Crossley St Brides Media & Finance Tel: 020 7242 4477
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
TSTNKKKNFBKDQCN