Halma on target, helped by acquisitions

Sensor maker Halma said it expects full year profit before amortisation of acquired intangibles and acquisition costs to be in line with market expectations as its health and analysis sector put in a stellar performance.

Halma, which makes handheld devices used to assess eye health and diagnose disease, said its health and analysis sector is achieving the highest rate of revenue growth of the group, boosted by acquisitions made last year. In 2011 the group acquired Swiss company Medicel, a designer and manufacturer of single-use injector devices for Intra Ocular Lenses used for cataract surgery.

The group, which also makes sensors used in elevator lifts and sensors to detect flammable and hazardous gases, said overall good rates of growth have continued in the US, mainland Europe and emerging markets but UK markets remained subdued.

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Its industrial safety businesses delivered very strong results from 2 October 2011 to date and are all benefiting from increasing revenue from customers in the natural resources and process industries worldwide.

Water and health optics are performing well whilst photonics and fluid technology are trading in line with the first six months.

Halma, which acquired Kirk Key Interlock and Avo Photonics in the first half, said both are trading well and in line with its expectations.

In infrastructure sensors, fire detection and automatic door sensors are making solid progress while security sensors and elevator safety are reporting flat revenues in tough market conditions, Halma explained.