Business Serve posts profit

Business Serve PLC - the acquisitive Lancaster-based ISP - has posted a profit after seeing a sizeable jump in turnover. The increase in revenue for the six months to the end of September was down to a string of acquisitions underpinned by organic growth.

As a result, turnover jumped 67 per cent to £6.8m compared to £4m a year earlier. Pre-tax profit over the period hit £103,000 compared to a loss of £7,000.

Since floating on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in February the ISP has snapped up six companies and is still on the lookout for businesses to bolt on to its existing operation. And while it is eyeing new opportunities to grow, Business Serve is continuing to integrate the businesses its bought "which will further reduce costs and increase efficiency".

While keeping costs down, it's also looking to generate more revenue from its products. In particular, following the buy-out of internet telephony outfit Pipemedia in October the ISP is looking to give Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) the hard sell.

The company said in a statement that it seeks "to exploit the significant opportunities which exist within the telecom market place specifically through VoIP technology and the ability to offer converged voice and data services". ®

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