Next year promises to be more successful for commercial print as sales of its recently launched Domino On Demand show in the results. Despite being launched last summer it didnt start shipping until after the close of the financial year at the end of October.

Managing director Nigel Bond said the there was 1m worth of orders in hand for the Domino On Demand.

The Cambridge firm saw a 46% growth in its laser printer sales volumes and increased sales in its A-series continuous ink-jet printers. It made good progress in the second half with its Outer Case Coding Products.

The firm enjoyed growth in its gross profit margin through improvements in operating cost efficiencies.

Pre-tax profits were 20.3m in the period to 31 October 2003, up 29% from 15.7m year on year. This was based on sales of 164.4m, an increase of 2%.

Domino chairman Peter Byrom said: The 12 months to 31 October 2003 has been a record year for us. We have grown earnings per share at an annual compound rate of 14% over the last six years.

The company has now increased its commitment to research and development, by upping its annual budget by 2% to 8.5m. Byrom is promising a strong new development programmes for this year, but refused to be drawn on any further details.

The board recommended a final dividend of 3.09p per share, making a total of 4.75p for the year, representing an increase of 15% over 2002.

Story by Barney Cox