THE manufacturer of soldering products, Oglesby & Butter expects to complete the repayment of its bank debt next month and has raised the prospect of a resumption of dividend payments.

In a statement with the group's results for the six months to the end of September, chairman Mr Nevin Dowling said: "The group is committed to the resumption of dividend payments and is keeping the situation under review. It is intended that dividends will be paid as soon as profits and funds permit."

Oglesby & Butler suffered a setback in the six months to the end of September, with a weakening in the US market resulting in a fall in sales from £2.15 million to £1.94 million. Pre-tax profits fell from £254,000 to £234,000, while earnings per share fell from 2.02p to 1.87p.