Carclo enjoys promising start to the year

The Ossett-based company said Wipac, a subsidiary which makes lighting for supercars, will contribute to "much stronger" trading in the second half.

Carclo has also seen good levels of demand in its technical plastics division, which makes moulded plastic components for use in medical, optical and electronics products. It said volumes in its US medical business were recovering strongly.

In an interim management statement, the company said: "We expect the group's trading pattern in this financial year to be similar to the prior year with a greater proportion of operating profits generated in the second half of the year than in the first half.

"The economic environment remains uncertain and yet our businesses are performing well and the group's financial position remains strong.

"The group is well placed to enjoy continued growth in its medical diagnostics, LED optics and lighting businesses as well as having exciting prospects at Conductive Inkjet Technology."

Conductive Inkjet Technology is a new venture for Carclo that will use a new technique to reduce the cost of products such as RFID tags, smart packaging and touch screens.

Carclo said a complete production line will be installed at CIT's facility in Cambridge by early autumn with production expected to commence in early 2011.