Acquisition-minded Charter

Charter said it would soon be looking to acquire a business valued at between pounds 200m to pounds 400m to add to its existing welding supplies, building products and railway fastenings activities. Jeffery Herbert, the chief executive, said the acquisition would be "another Esab", referring to the Swedish welding supplies company Charter acquired last year, which boosted half-year profits from pounds 20.3m to pounds 50.3m.

Investment Column, page 20