Unidare chairman upbeat on half-year results

Unidare chairman Jack Hayes has said that he expects the manufacturing and distribution group's half-year results to be broadly in line with last years.

In November 2003, Hayes warned that significant relocation costs of the firm's Dutch operation Daalderop could impact on the figures.

However, he told the company's AGM today that underlying business remains steady which, combined with sizeable reductions in both central and finance costs, gives more cause for optimism.

The relocation of Daalderop went smoothly with the purpose built plant meeting time and cost budgets.

Addressing shareholders Hayes said today: "Our strategy continues to be to focus our resources where we can best add value, and improve the worth of our businesses to maximise shareholder value.

"Being mindful of Corporate Governance, we are actively working to increase the non-executive representation on the Board.

"The Board also recognises the importance of dividends to shareholders and is committed to restoring a payment as soon as feasible," the Unilever chairman added.