Cambridge coding and printing specialist Domino has lifted first-half revenues eight per cent to £156.4 million.

Pre-tax profit to the end of April was 13 per cent ahead at £27.1m. The interim dividend has been increased 20 per cent to 6.58p.

Domino believes a huge new opportunity has been created for the group with many countries proposing new legislation on food safety. It is an area Domino is perfectly placed to exploit, said group MD Nigel Bond.

Domino, which is this newspaper’s reigning ‘Business of the Year,’ saw strong growth in thermal transfer and thermal inkjet products and successfully introduced new continuous inkjet and laser printer ranges. Demand for Domino’s fluids, consumables and other after-market products remains strong.

The company has recruited 100 extra sales, marketing and service personnel in the last year and increased R & D spend by 12 per cent as innovation continues to leverage more market share across the globe.

Bond said: “Many countries are now either introducing or contemplating new legislation aimed at food safety. In April we announced an investment in TEN Media, a company established with our partners NewMarket Impressions to develop and supply compliance and food safety systems to the fresh egg industry.

“We are excited by this opportunity and the potential for the further development of compliance systems for use across the fresh produce sector.

“While there remain some uncertainties in global economies we continue to see customers invest and believe we are well placed to develop and grow the business.”

• Photograph shows: Domino group MD Nigel Bond