The Bristol-based companys results for the first six months of the year show that turnover fell 1% to 14.6m, compared to the same period in 2001. Its pre-tax profits for the same period fell 3% to 1.98m, although pre-tax profits for the past year have increased by 3%.

Access Plus chairman Tim Brettell said that the firms major client wins over the last three months placed it in pole position to benefit from a pick-up in the economy.

"Comparisons with the same period last year were always expected to show a slightly weaker picture. Since March this year we have seen growth month on month. The second half will be much better for us," said Brettell.

Access Plus turnover from its direct mail business fell 5% to 2.6m, special and security services fell 13% to 2.2m, but revenue generated from print management grew 3% to 9.82m.

"Print management is our growth area, and we have focused on that. Were starting to see the fruits of our labour with the new contracts," said Brettell.

The company has paid off its five-year loan three years early and is ready to expand.

Brettell said: "We have zero debt at the moment, so these are good times for us to look. We have always said that we would grow organically and through acquisition."

Story by John Davies