Company News in Brief

Baris Holdings, the fire protection and thermal insulation supplier, made pounds 9,000 pre-tax profit (loss pounds 70,000) in the six months to 31 August, despite a fall in sales to pounds 8.1m ( pounds 11.1m). Earnings per share are 0.1p (LPS 1p). No dividend.

Goode Durrant, the house builder and vehicle and container hirer, has sold its vehicle leasing interests, Laidlaw Leasing, the residual business that remained with the group after Laidlaw group was sold in June, to Highway Vehicle Leasing for pounds 1.5m in cash.

Half-year to 30 June

WB Industries, the engineering springs maker, reported a sharp drop in pre-tax losses from pounds 657,000 to pounds 185,000 in the absence of losses incurred on a loss-making business sold last year. A cut in staff numbers in July is expected to improve cost-efficiencies and lead to a break-even result for the full year. Loss per share is cut to 2.88p (10.24p). No dividend.

Craig & Rose, the paint and varnish maker, incurred a pounds 135,000 pre-tax loss (profit pounds 134,000). Loss per share 32.25p (EPS 25.25p). No dividend.

Ferromet Group, the metals company, intends to raise pounds 327,000 in a two-for-one rights issue of about 131 million shares at 0.25p each following a reorganisation converting existing 1p shares into 0.25p shares. It cut pre-tax losses from pounds 854,000 to pounds 81,000. LPS 0.42p (0.04p).