Pre-press supplier Bousfield could be up for sale if it does not quickly help improve returns to the shareholders of its owner, Amberley Group.


That was the stark message from Amberley chairman Roger Fletcher in the wake of the group's performance in the six months to 30 September 2000.


He said that a "fundamental review" of all four operating units might lead to disposals if there were not improvements "in the short-to-medium term".


Bousfield's results were as depressed as any of Amberley's subsidiaries over the period, recording an operating loss and a 15% year-on-year fall in sales.


Overall the group made a pre-tax profit of just 700,000 on turnover of 34.3m (3.3m in 1999 on 37.5m), but claimed the strength of sterling against the dollar and the euro were to blame. Its share price has dropped more than 50% in the last three years.


Things do not look much brighter for Amberley in the second half, with undisclosed chunks of money going in compensation payments to outgoing directors following last year's board clear-out (PrintWeek, 24 November 2000).


Bousfield is now selling its inks, coatings, pre-press and pressroom products online at www.bousfield.co.uk.


Story by Adam Hill