Emtelle UK’s cost cuts bear fruit

THE Hawick-based arm of a Dutch optical fibre maker has reported higher profits despite rising oil prices pushing up the cost of its plastic raw materials.

Accounts filed at Companies House showed Emtelle UK posted a pre-tax profit of £3.8 million for 2010, up from £2.4m in 2009, when the firm cut its headcount by 35 to 151. Staff numbers rose to 194 in 2010, with sales up to £56m from £44.4m after contract wins.