Kewill speeds up web services after 78% rise

TECHMARK component Kewill Systems, the software supply chain management specialist, is acceleration development of its web-based services after the group's e-commerce revenues jumped 78% over the last six months, writes James Maclean.

Kewill, which has seen its share price triple since midyear stock split was followed by news of an e-commerce contract with parcel service Federal Express, said it was now concentrating on rolling out Internet business solutions to global client from core US and European base including Toys R Us, Marks & Spencer and Dixons.

Pre-tax interim profits to 30 September rose 13% to 5.06 million on sales up 30% to 35.74 million.

Earnings per share increased 16% to 5.2p but the dividend is omitted to help finance development costs. E-commerce revenues surged to 11.8 million, while the software solutions business was protected from a general industry-wide Y2K slowdown by a concentration on small and medium-sized clients.

The logistics operations, which is based on warehouse management services, struggle to make inroads in the US. This is despite the fact that the company has revamped its sales team after the unit broke even on sales down 9.7% to 5.2 million.

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