Artwork reports strong year-end results

The fortunes of Artwork Systems Group took an upward turn this year, with the Ghent-based firm reporting a net profit of 8.7m (E12.65m) for the 12 months to 30 September.

The Belgian pre-press software specialist lost 1.1m (Euros 1.62m) during the same period in 2003, but turnover was up this year by nearly 7% to 32.5m (Euros 47.1m).

Artwork said Drupa 2004 had generated interest in its new products Odystar and Certified PDF, as well as updates of ArtPro and Nexus.

The company claimed the continuing weakness of the US dollar held revenues back by around 5%. It wants to push turnover to 35.2m (Euros 51m) in 2005, with profit up to 8.9m (Euros 13m). Chairman Guido Van der Schueren said: "Taking everything into account we have had a very good year."