Jarvis Porter hopes that the transfer of its Stock Exchange listing to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) on 14 May will reverse its fortunes and complement last years restructuring.


Chairman Michael Maher said: "Transferring to the AIM should mean that we get more interest, and it also reflects the smaller size of the company. We hope that investors who may not have looked at us on the main listing will now invest."


Results for the year ending February 2001 showed a pre-tax loss of 4.3m on turnover from continuing operations down 10% at 55.4m. Turnover including discontinued operations dropped 45% to 60.05m.


The sale of the firms Zwart facility in Holland and closure of Jarvis Porters wet glue factory at Leeds contributed to the decline in turnover.


He added that joint managing directors Alan Mellor, who is in charge of creative packaging, and Gary Kenning, responsible for healthcare, were making their divisions profitable.


"Last years restructuring is paying off. Labels and Healthcare sectors have returned to profit this year thanks largely to our proactive management," said Maher.


He added that the creative packaging division, described as making substantial losses, had given the company "most cause for concern" after it lost a major swing ticket contract to an overseas supplier.


Jarvis Porters label plant in Leeds will install a Gallus Arsoma 410 seven-colour UV flexo/screen press next month. The board has also decided to invest in a digital press at Leeds, although the specific machine type has yet to be determined.


Story by John Davies