m u ro m p k ic s m
m
the market place JANUARY/FEBRUARY
NEWS OF THE MICROFILM INDUSTRY
1989 No 13
New Microfilm Trade Show I was asked recently, by a West German manufacturer, to 1recommend an exhibition in the U.K. where he could show a new product to the British trade — I was quite embarrassed to have to admit that there is no such event. It is with this in mind that I return to a subject that was first mentioned in issue 2 of the magazine back in 1986 - namely to set up a U.K. trade show.
T / w m u r v r it f b Themeprint Ltd., as publisher of the “Micrographics Market Place”, is ideally situated to organise and promote such an exhibition, and would be pleased to prepare a feasibility study. The first thing that we need to know is how much interest we can expect from potential exhibitors as this will suggest the necessary size of the venue and from this, approximate costs could be calculated. It seems initially promising as, when it was mentioned at a recent meeting, Barry Minty (Agfa Gevaert), Graham
Slow growth for Microgen? Microgen Holdings have managed a 4% growth in pre-tax profits in the year ending 31st October, but this is the slowest rate shown during the past fourteen years and has only been achieved due to acquisitions, without which there would undoubtedly have been a drop in the profits. The group has shown profits of £10.04m, increased from £9.61m, with a 12% increase in turnover from £35.42m to £39.53m but a 32% increase in Microgen’s sales costs. Both of the U.K. companies within the group have made acquisitions during this accounting period. Scan Laser have acquired Imagen, a laser printing bureau based in the London area whilst Microgen have bought MPCS, a micrographics supply company now trading as Microgen Equipment and Supplies, and Finlay Microfilm. 23% of the total group profits were contributed by the Capella Group, Microgen’s Scandinavian business interest, which, compared to the rest of the group, performed very well. This article has, up to now, reflected the general tone of the financial press — but this negative approach is very difficult to justify when discussing a company that shows more than a 25% nett profit — (how many of us would like to be able to boast such a figure?) - it is only because of their even greater success in the past that this achievement has received something less than its deserved accolade. The truth must, however, be recognised in some quarters as, at the time of going to press, the shares had increased to 23 lp, up 54p since the publication of the annual figures; hardly a sign of lack of confidence. The Micrographics Market Place
Dednum (Custom Microfilm) and John Negus (Microfilm Shop) all reacted very positively to the idea of taking part. I envisage the show being created specifically as ‘trade-to-trade’ with most of the promotion being done through the trade media or by direct mail using the magazine mailing list. It would probably be held at one of the London hotels next year and costs for taking part would be kept to a minimum. It would be an ideal opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers to meet representatives from the many bureaux throughout the U.K. and Europe. If you are interested in supporting this enterprise please complete and return the pre-paid card that is included in this issue or contact the editor direct - without, of course, any obligation at this stage. Please do not return the card if you are simply interested in visiting the show — only if you may wish to exhibit —or we may finish up with a completely false impression. Contact: Tim Nixon, The Micrographics Market Place, 65 Winchester Drive, Burbage, Leics. LE102BA. Tel: (0203) 382328. Fax: (0203) 382319.
The 1989 ful Microj catalogue is enclosei this publication. Also available, upon request, is our freeM 31 page ^. ; Mr Almanac and Price List. 1
Pleads cjqptact us immediately for your copy G e n n e g A s s o c ia te s H a m m o n d C lo s e , A ttle b o ro u g h F ie ld s. N u n e a to n , W a rw ic k s h ire C V l 1 6 R V Tel N u n e a to n (0203) 383 99 8 /38 1 19 6 T e le x 3 11603 G e n n e g F a x (0203) 382319