A THRIVING Bury company has bucked the trend in the volatile telecoms sector by announcing increased profits.

And the achievement by Salford Street-based Pennine Telecom comes against a backdrop of the industry being hard hit by severe competition and the general down-turn in the economy.

Group turnover at Pennine and its sister company Interquartz (UK) is now close to £10 million per annum with an anticipated combined annual trading profit of £400,000.

Pennine, which this year celebrated its silver jubilee, provides a total communications solution for customers nationwide. These cover telephone and radio systems, choice of networks, cellular mobiles and telephone products.

The Bury firm has also forged partnerships with several major telecoms players, such as BT, Motorola, Panasonic and Avaya.

Pennine is an independent company with 90 staff. Interquartz, an importer and distributor of business telephones, is also based at the Bury headquarters.

Mr Ian Macpherson, managing director of Pennine, said: "The economy is at a low and nowhere is this more evident than the high profile telecoms sector and the big manufacturing companies.

"This has had a ripple-through affect to all in the sector, but Pennine Telecom goes from strength to strength and we are well placed to continue to offer top line services to our customers.

"Particularly pleasing this year is that despite lower than expected growth, our interim results show an increased level of profitability."

Mr Macpherson attributes the strong results to the fact that the company is self-sufficient in its technical resources and has built up strong financial reserves.

Prudent steps were also taken well in advance of the economic slow down by making economies and putting in place improved efficiency measures.

To mark its 25th anniversary, Pennine has staged a number of high profile business events, including a showcase and seminar at the Lowry Centre and a similar event at Manchester United's ground.