The figures are a major turnaround for the company, which had posted losses of more than 2m over the two years of trading to March 2002. 

With sales at 18.8m, the company said the improvements in its overall result had arisen from its recent strategic restructuring.

This has seen the company focus more on its Nortag division and products, which is working with the clients including Asda's George range on retail security product development.

Managing director Alex Evans said the restructuring had enabled Norprint to concentrate more on its key markets of food, retail and the industrial sectors.

A strengthening of its sales team has also helped, which has seen additional staff be employed.

Significant interest in new Norprint products is also starting to come through from European and global clients.

Over 1m has also been invested in new presses for the production of food and security labelling products.

Norprint supplies labels, tags and tickets, software and services to over 3,000 companies throughout the UK and Europe. It produces over 6.7bn labels every year.

Its clients include Asda, Geest, Marks & Spencer, Revlon, Black & Decker, Jaguar, Ford and the Royal Mail.

Story by Andy Scott