Hornby on the wrong lines over China deal - Business - Evening Standard
       

Hornby on the wrong lines over China deal

Model trains and Scalextric firm Hornby was driven into trouble this year by some wonky steering from its biggest supplier.

China's Sanda Kan makes half of the hobby group's kit — an over-reliance chief executive Frank Martin is looking to fix. Hornby says Sanda has faced "serious financial problems" in the past year because of a heavy debt burden.

"We are not very pleased with the way our supplies have been disrupted," said Martin. Hornby today axed its final dividend, leaving only the interim payment of 2.7p, down from 8.5p last time.

Martin said investors back his move to protect the balance sheet during tough times. Peter Wood, the Direct Line pioneer, holds 11% of the stock.

Profits in the year to the end of March fell from £9 million to £6.1 million on turnover up 11% to £62 million. The shares, worth more than 280p two years ago, were today steady at 79p.

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