Hicking's Barbour boost

INDUSTRIAL textiles group, Hicking Pentecost, taking in the important Barbour Campbell industrial threads business in Ireland, continues to perform well in the face of difficulties afflicting the textile industry. First half pre tax profits increased 13 per cent to £3.84 million sterling on turnover up 26 per cent at £49.7 million, mainly due to increased sales at Barbour Campbell and to first time contributions from acquired US thread operations.