HALF YEAR REPORT
We are now just over half way through our current financial year and the
results are the best ever. Our turnover is up in excess of £3 million compared to the
corresponding period last year (which in itself was a record). Barring a catastrophe, our
end of year figures will be an all-time record. The endeavours of you, the member, staff
and the Board of Management have been quite incredible to put this company in a position
of such great financial strength. This has been reflected by not increasing your
subscriptions this year, which makes the second year running that no increase has been
required and also, by awarding your staff a five per cent increase in their salaries.
The staff increase, as you will appreciate, is well above the rate of
inflation, but we are in a ‘catch up’ situation to try and alleviate the problem
your staff had when there was not an increase in their annual salaries for four years,
back in the early nineties.
The figures have been helped enormously due to the fact that our expenditure
in running the business, compared to the same period last year, has diminished by
£200,000, when it would have been expected to rise by £100,000 due to inflation alone.
It goes some way to proving that your Board of Management is getting to grips with the day
to day running of the company through careful management.
At this point, I would like to add a little
caution to a very upbeat Chairman’s report. We can all feel very satisfied with the
progress we are making, but both our competitors have recently re-equipped their fleet and
increased their numbers. The management of both these companies will be looking for extra
work to accommodate the increase in their mobiles and our conclusion is that our account
base could come under threat. But, if you all make that little extra effort to cover the
work then we feel that we will have nothing to fear.
As a Board of Management, we endeavour to make decisions that will benefit
the member, client and our staff. We try to have a rapport with our clients and secure the
best terms for members and staff. We try to set the course for this company that will lead
to future prosperity for everyone, but at the end of the day you, the members, cover the
work. It’s over to you….
TERMINALS
After reading about our competitors acquiring new terminals, you must all
be wondering what is happening about our new equipment. First of all, I would like to
point out that the equipment that we will be purchasing is bespoke, there is nothing like
it on the market. I have had protracted negotiations with the supplier regarding the cost
of their Research and Development (R&D) and we were not prepared to pay the fee they
were asking. After some lengthy negotiations they have decided to supply the prototypes
free of charge and, naturally, we will be delighted to accept.
CAUTION
The financial strength that we have achieved through careful management
will reduce the burden to us of acquiring these new terminals, but that position could
change if the trade suffers any kind of setback or we lose our market share and in turn
members or indeed our margin is eroded. The stability of this company could be put in
jeopardy if our investment in new equipment proved to be over demanding, so you can rest
assured that this Board will approach the situation with caution. We will phase in the new
terminals over a period of time, deciding on the delivery schedule and the scope to which
we wish to expand. We need to demonstrate to clients and suppliers alike that this company
is in safe hands and we represent the consistency and professionalism they require.
Brian Rice
DOOR LOGO PRIZE DRAW - NOW £1000 !!!
Have you got your new door logos fitted yet? If not, you could be losing out on
serious money!
The prize for the June and July lucky draws has been increased to £1000.
Yes, one thousand quid could be yours if your name is first out of the hat in either of
the above two draws. But as the saying goes:-
"You have to be in it to win it". 
The old logos no longer count in the DAC prize draws and the new ones can be
fitted in minutes at Roman Way. If £1000 sounds handy to you, then
pop along to Roman Way now and you could be seriously richer!
Mr G. Fenton (E 01) was the winner of April’s new logo draw and he is
now £300 richer. Mr Fenton obviously makes winning prizes a hobby as he also won the
January draw! Don’t forget, next month the prize is £1000. No logo’s - no
prize…
