Aga expects 'reasonable' autumn sales

Aga Rangemaster returned to profit in the six months to June 30 but said it did not expect to see a substantial rebound going forward as consumers were still extremely cautious about committing to larger value purchases.

Having survived the recession, Aga followed up a profitable second half to 2009 with operating profits of 800,000 in the first half of 2010.

Revenues increased by 5% to 123.4 million after an improvement in Aga sales volumes as existing owners upgraded their models and burner systems. The all-in-one cooker-boiler brands, Rayburn and Stanley, were down as enthusiasm for solid fuel and wood burning models fell away.

Overall, sales volumes for cast iron cookers were down 10% from 6,500 to 5,850.

Aga said: "We are moving into the key autumn selling season and the current level of leads across our brands does suggest a reasonable sales period ahead although the consumer mood is currently more subdued than in the spring."

The UK generated 62% of sales in the half-year, with 23% coming from Europe and 15% in North America and the rest of the world.