World News

Fujifilm's Graphic Arts division reported a 7% increase in turnover, from £1.4bn to £1.5bn, in its year-end results last week, beating the group-wide rise of 2.3%.

In the UK, Fujifilm Graphic Systems exceeded the division's result in terms of both volume and sales revenue, achieving double-digit gains in turnover.

Managing director of the UK arm, Keith Dalton, said: "Our continued success both globally, and here in the UK, is evidence of the strength of our products and the ever-increasing R&D investments we make.

"With the planned expansion of our plate line at our European facility in Tilburg, Fuji is building on an excellent platform for increased future growth, even in a difficult market."

Worldwide, parent-company Fujifilm more than doubled its net income to ¥104bn (£505m), thanks largely to the completion of its 'Vision75' structural reform programme.

The pre-media manufacturer's strong operating performance came on the back of a relatively modest increase in turnover, up 2.3% to ¥2.8tr, and an even smaller rise in gross profit, which was up 0.9% to ¥1.2tr.

However, thanks to a ¥94.1bn restructuring charge in Fujifilm's 2007 balance sheet, versus no charges in its 2008 results, the firm posted an 83.4% rise in operating income to ¥207.3bn, and a 93% surge in pre-tax profits to ¥199.3bn.

The company said that ever-increasing raw materials costs had been offset by structural reforms and strong sales growth, particularly in Asia.