James Halstead Sales Up Over Last Year

Manchester, England, Dec. 10, 2008--U.K. Flooring company James Halstead said on Wednesday its sales for the first five months of its fiscal year were ahead of last year as raw material prices fell.

James Halstead said both the British market and its export markets saw sales growth, with the refurbishment market and government-related projects remaining strong.

"The weakness of sterling has generally benefited our export margins though there are significant localised offsets from imported materials and finished products," Chairman Geoffrey Halstead said in a statement prepared for the company's annual general meeting to be held later on Wednesday.

The company provides flooring for hospitals and commercial buildings worldwide.