Jobs promised

THE buyer of a new Bromsgrove office building has brought 35 jobs to the area and pledged more.

Simon Carter, managing director of Connect Business Systems, said that as the firm recruited further field sales staff it would also require more engineers and many more tele-sales staff to continue the planned expansion of the business.

He moved the business from Heath Hayes, Cannock, to the Stoke Prior site after his salesmen identified Beech House as a prime candidate a new HQ.

Connect Business Systems sells and services copiers and telephone systems suitable for a range of users, from small businesses to major corporations.

Ryanair soars

BUDGET airline Ryanair today revealed profits rose by 18 per cent in its first half despite fuel costs more than doubling.

The Dublin-based carrier hit expectations by posting record net profits of 237 million euros (£160m) but said it remained cautious about its outlook for the full year.

Ryanair said its decision not to impose a fuel surcharge like many of its rivals helped it increase the number of passengers carried during the period by 29 per cent to 18 million.

Confidence up

BUSINESS confidence is increasing across much of the economy, although some parts of industry remains "mired in difficulties", according to a new report.

Service and manufacturing were more confident about the future, but retail and tourism firms were feeling the strain of the consumer spending slowdown, said the Institute Of Directors.

Director general Miles Templeman said: "Disparities in the performance of certain sectors of the economy are clearly emerging.

"The slowdown on the high street is now very apparent, but against all odds, manufacturing is showing green shoots of recovery. However, it is far too early to say if this pick-up will be sustained."

A survey of 500 firms by the IoD showed that one in three were optimistic about future trading.

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