One to Watch

LATCHWAYS produces, distributes and installs industrial safety products. The company's subsidiaries include HCL Safety, HCL Contracts and Sigma Six.

Latchways is a well-run business and has weathered a challenging period. Demand in London has returned with large construction projects such as Crossrail and the Olympics. The firm is introducing new products while developing its range.

Most of Latchways' products are cable-based safety systems. As a result, the company should be well placed to benefit from ever more strident applications of health and safety legislation. European regulation has recently been tightened, for example, and this should benefit Latchways as more than 60 per cent of its sales are overseas.

Latchways is seeing a number of markets opening up, including wind power generation, while the prospects in the energy sector remain encouraging. So long as the UK continues to wallow, Latchways' share price may not make much progress, but this appears a solid and well-run business.

The value of your investment could fall and you may get back less than you invested. You should take professional advice if you have any doubt about the suitability of this company for your portfolio.

Arena Leisure

29.25p -0.5p

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Booker

39.2p -1.41p

Broker says BUY

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