EARNINGS and profits of companies in the print and packaging sector tend to fluctuate as they track shifting market trends but Boxmore International, the Northern Ireland based specialist packaging company, appears to have conquered the supply/demand conumdrum. Boxmore, whose shares are listed on the Irish stock market, has dug itself into a profitable niche business, supplying specialist packaging for a variety of pharmaceutical and healthcare products.

Results this week covering the half year to end June last show a continuance of growth trends, with pre tax profits surging 39 per cent to £7.6 million sterling on a 34.5 per cent improvement in turnover to £45 million. The jewel in the crow.a is the pharmaceutical and healthcare division which is experiencing boom trading, pushing sales up a whopping 58 per cent to £18 million.

Despite intensified competitive pressures, Boxmore is confident of another year of good profit growth with analysts anticipating full year profits in the order of £14 million. Shareholders receive a higher interim dividend of 0.91p a share.