JOHNSON Service Group has returned to profit and dividend payments.
The Runcorn-based drycleaning to textile rental and facilities management group achieved a £5.4m interim profit compared with a £7.5m loss last time on sales of £120m in the six months to June 30, down from £130.1m.
The 0.25p interim dividend is the first payment to shareholders since the final dividend of 2006.
It reflects a return to stability for the group which slashed debts and interest payments through share placings and rights issues throughout the year and is now trading well within bank facilities.
Chairman John Talbot, who has steered the group back to profits, said: "We have traded well in challenging market conditions. The board is confident in achieving a satisfactory result for the year."
The textile rental division reported a 3.1% rise in adjusted operating profits of £6.7m, including a return to profit by hotel, catering and hospitality linen provider Stalbridge Linen Services.
