'Challenging year' hurts Qualceram

BATHROOM products manufacturer Qualceram Shires plunged into losses last year following very difficult conditions in the British market.

As a result net losses, after restructuring costs of over €6 million, hit €5.1m for the year ending December 2005 in what the group described as "another challenging year".

That figure rises to €6.6m when the dividend payment of over €1.2m is taken into account and compares with profits retained in the last financial year of €3.8m.