FW Thorpe lifts dividend but 'remains acquisitive' amid profit rise

FW Thorpe PLC on Friday raised its dividend, as annual profit rose despite flat revenue, and it said it remains on the look-out for acquisition opportunities.

The Redditch-based lighting systems maker said pretax profit was up 5.9% to £31.6 million in the 12 months to the end of June from £29.9 million in financial 2024, even as revenue edged down 0.3% to £175.2 million from £175.8 million.

Basic earnings per share rose 4.6% to 21.69p from 20.73p.

FW Thorpe declared a final dividend of 5.36p, up 5.5% from 5.08p a year before, to give a total dividend of 7.12p for the year. This is 5.0% higher than 6.78p last year.

FW Thorpe said it got a ‘stand out performance’ from its Thorlux and Zemper lighting businesses in the UK and Spain, respectively, in the recent year, but ‘disappointing results’ at Lightronics and SchahlLED in the Netherlands and Germany. Other parts of the company delivered improved performance, it said.

‘The group’s focus is switching from the smaller UK companies to Lightronics and SchahlLED,’ Chair Mike Allcock said. ‘Plans are in place to improve or restore these businesses to the profit levels expected. This will take time and some investment, particularly in sales-related activities.’

Looking ahead, FW Thorpe said it has made a ‘solid start’ to the new year, with operating performance in line with the prior year.

‘The board remains acquisitive, albeit on a selective basis, to support modest growth if the right opportunities are forthcoming,’ Allcock said.

FW Thorpe shares were up 0.4% to 308.10 pence early Friday in London.

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