Equipment

Robotic Technology Systems (RTS), which supllies automated packing systems, has reported a pre-tax loss of £1.8m in the first half of 2008 due to on-going contract disputes.

The company's revenue fell to £4.6m, compared with £5.4m in the same period in 2007.

RTS said that it is continuing to pursue money it is owed due an ongoing contract dispute and incurred legal costs of £700,000 in the period.

It said it does not expect an end to the case until 2009, but remains confident of a "successful outcome to the claim".

The company said that the first half of 2008 was dominated by the completion of an end-of-line bread packing system for an unnamed UK baker.

It said it has secured an order for automating the packing of poppadums, completed a second line to automate the packaging of contact lenses and is anticipating an order for the third line.

Chairman Chris Brown said: "Trading in RTS Flexible Systems is expected to be weak for the second half of the year due to a reduced opening order book and difficult market conditions.

"The business is well placed to capitalise on further opportunities for low risk repeat business," he added.

RTS is a technology business supplying engineering services, products and integrated systems to automate scientific and industrial processes.