UK disty Northamber increased profits by 18 per cent compared to last year.

For the year ended 30 June 2005 Northamber made pre-tax profits of £2.6m, up 18.5 per cent from the £2.2m made last year. total sales grew to £236.3m compared to £232.8m for the same period last year.

The distributor said it was particularly pleased with the performance because it came in a period of continued price deflation.

Northamber's board decided to increase the dividend to 4p, making total for the year of 6p per share compared to 4.1p last year.

The company said trading had been very weak in July and August but September had started in-line with expectations and the board remains confident for the whole year.

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