Staffline Recruitment Group reported pre-tax profits of £1.4m for the first half of 2008, virtually unchanged from 2007 (£1.4m).  Sales were up 5% at £54.9m (2007: £52.3m).

Commenting on the results, Andy Hogarth, Staffline’s managing director, said: “We have a forward order book which is at a record level for this point in the year, and the result for the first half was in line with last year and our expectations. Trading during July and August has, however, been marginally held back by subdued demand from some existing customers and this, combined with the shortfall in profit resulting from three client site closures and a client receivership, means that we would expect the group’s full year performance for 2008 to be marginally below that of last year.

 “Notwithstanding these challenges, we believe that the current trading environment should play to the group’s strengths because the margin pressure being experienced by both our existing and target client base is acting as a catalyst for high levels of interest in the efficiencies and cost savings we are able to offer.”