BATHROOM fixtures maker Qualceram Shires has warned that the slowdown in new house building has hit its sales.

Qualceram Shires, manufacturer, marketer and distributor of bathroom suites, today announced a turnover of €90m for 2007.

THE value of bathroom fixtures maker Qualceram Shires plunged by as much as a quarter yesterday after the company warned that profits this year are likely to be nearly 40% lower than in 2006.

Qualceram Shires, a leading manufacturer, and distributor of a wide range of bathroom suites, has announced its interim financial results for the half year ended 30 June, 2007.

Bathroom suite manufacturer Qualceram Shires has announced that it has completed the contract process to purchase the South Quay in Arklow, Co Wicklow from the Arklow Harbour Commissioners for €2m.

Bathroom products manufacturer Qualceram Shires has reported a profit before tax increase at €3.9m for 2006 following a loss of €5.1m in 2005.

Bathroom products distribution company Qualceram Shires has announced after-tax losses of €1.6m for the six months to the end of June. Losses for the same period last year were €3.7m.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares lost some ground in afternoon trading after this morning's 25c rise, but still finished in the black.

BATHROOM ceramics manufacturer Qualceram Shires is to axe 220 jobs at one of its British plants.

BATHROOM fixtures maker Qualceram Shires said pre-tax profits were up 60% last year helped by the sale of property in Britain.

BATHROOM ceramics manufacturer Qualceram Shires has appointed Arsenal Football Club managing director Keith Edelman as a non-executive director.

SHARES in Qualceram Shires tumbled by 13% yesterday after the bathroom and ceramics manufacturer issued a profit warning.

QUALCERAM Shires signalled its confidence in a return to growth by restoring its interim dividend.

and ceramics group Qualceram has said Gartmore Investment Management, one of the company’s major shareholders, has reduced its stake in the company from 14.4 % to 12.4%.

The ISEQ closed up 14 points today to 5342 with most of the financials relinquishing gains made on Friday on the back of positive US jobs data.

BATHROOM ceramics manufacturer Qualceram Shires showed signs it had put an end to a difficult period last year as it returned to profitability and resumed dividend payments.

The Iseq finished down 0.83 points today to close at 5173.87.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares closed at 5053.30 down 35.48 points.

The ISEQ Index of shares mirrored the British market

SHARES in Dublin fell 24.23 points yesterday to close at 4312.46.

THE ISEQ index fell for the first time in five days yesterday, closing down 74.99 points to 4342.02.

THE profits of Irish public companies with defined benefit pension schemes could take a big hit from the €2bn plus fall in the value of their pension assets this year, according to stockbrokers Merrion Capital.

THE ISEQ index of shares closed marginally up yesterday, finishing 23.99 points higher at 3644.03 points.

Irish bathrooms firm Qualceram Shires is to axe between 60 and 70 jobs at two of its UK manufacturing sites.