Company News in Brief

J Bibby & Sons, the agricultural, paper and science products group, reported a sharp decline in pre-tax profits from pounds 32.2m to pounds 7.1m for the year to 30 September, despite a 27 per cent rise in turnover to pounds 791.5m. There was a pounds 1.5m provision for reorganisation of the group's manufacturing division. Interest payments virtually doubled from pounds 7.2m to pounds 14.1m. Earnings per share slumped to 2.26p (20.09p). Total dividend for the year is 2p.

Chamberlin & Hill, the iron castings and electrical switchgear maker, hoisted pre-tax profits to pounds 787,000 ( pounds 728,000) in the six months to 30 September. Turnover rose to pounds 10.4m ( pounds 9.95m). Earnings per share were 7.35p (6.82p). Interim dividend is 2p (1.75p).

European Colour, which makes chemical colours, announced a rise in pre-tax profits from pounds 265,000 to pounds 521,000 in the six months to 30 September. Earnings per share improved to 1.16p (0.59p). Interim dividend is 0.35p (0.275p).

Ingham, the worsted spinner, boosted pre-tax profits to pounds 1.5m ( pounds 135,000) in the half year to 30 June on pounds 13.5m ( pounds 3m) turnover. Earnings per share rose to 7.1p (3.1p). Interim dividend is 1.75p.