Company News in Brief

Torex Hire, the tool, small plant and catering equipment leasing company, made pounds 97,000 profit before tax (loss pounds 335,000) in the year to 31 October, helped by what the company said was a substantial reduction in the number of liquidations and bankruptcies among customers. Earnings per share are 0.67p (LPS 2.09p). Total dividend is 0.6p (0.4p).

British Building and Engineering Appliances, the building services group, has sold Walker Brothers (Galvanizing) to Ash and Lacey, galvanizers and makers of perforated metal, for pounds 1.075m. At 30 June, Walker's net assets were pounds 1.077m.

BMSS, the timber and building materials merchant, has bought Price and Brown, a heating, plumbing and consultancy firm, for pounds 790,000 in cash and shares. The value of the assets acquired by BMSS is estimated at pounds 673,000.