Company news in Brief

Barcom, the civil engineer and plant hire group, turned round from a pounds 4.8m loss (incorrectly described as a profit yesterday) to profits of pounds 702,000 in the year to 30 September, and has resumed dividend payments with 1.25p.

Westport, the exhibitions and photographic services group, turned pounds 373,000 loss (incorrectly described as a profit yesterday) into pre-tax profits of pounds 111,000 in the six months to 30 October.

Forminster, the textiles manufacturer, eased slightly to pounds 967,000 ( pounds 997,000) pre-tax profit in the six months to 31 October. Interim dividend is 4.04p (3.78p).

Sycamore Holdings, maker of metal and plastic products, lifted pre-tax profits from pounds 549,000 to pounds 620,000 in the year to 30 September. Turnover was pounds 20.9m ( pounds 9.5m).

Sutcliffe Speakman, maker of activated carbon and steel products, has reduced pre-tax losses from pounds 1.8m to pounds 560,000 in the six months to 30 September.