logo
Edinburgh firm beats forecasts after snubbing US approach

Edinburgh firm beats forecasts after snubbing US approach

The update could be seen as vindication of the company's decision to resist the approach from Bain, which it said 'fundamentally' undervalued Craneware and its prospects and focus on a strategy that it argued would 'create significant value for shareholders'.
Craneware's software is used in about 2,000 hospitals across the US, giving it an approximately 40% share of that market. Its products are used by around a further 10,000 clinics and affiliate retail pharmacies.
The company told the market today that it 'experienced positive trading throughout the fiscal year, delivering continued strong growth, and profitability ahead of consensus market expectations'. Annual recurring revenue increased by 7% to $184 million amid 'continued sales momentum' and the company stated that it continued to 'deliver high levels of operating cash conversion, which have been used to invest in the product portfolio, reduce debt, and interest costs'. Total bank debt was reduced to $27.7m from $35.4m, while cash reserves stood at $55.9m by year-end, up from $34.6m last year.
Scots firms 'still on a knife-edge' despite fall in administrations
Former Rangers chief bidding to 'reset' renowned Scottish retailer
'We believe in Glasgow': Developer gives city huge vote of confidence
And the company underlined its confidence of achieving further growth, declaring that it 'anticipates that the ongoing drive within US healthcare to improve efficiency and deliver value in healthcare will continue to provide a positive market environment for Craneware's offerings'.
Craneware added: 'The partnership with Microsoft is progressing well, raising the profile of The Craneware Group and its AI-powered Trisus offerings with hospital CIOs (chief information officers) across the US, providing the basis for increased market penetration in future periods. AI development in conjunction with Microsoft continues as planned.'
Chief executive Keith Neilson said in a statement to the stock market: 'We are pleased to see our growth rates accelerating and profitability exceed expectations, with this year's performance supporting a move to sustainable, double-digit growth.
'Our extensive data sets and the powerful insights we can provide via our Trisus platform give our customers the means they need to improve their operational and financial performance. We have a unique capability to support our customers in their missions, and are seeing this translate into continued strong expansion sales within our customer base and a significant and growing base of recurring SaaS (software as a service) revenues.
'With continued strong cash generation, and a strategic position as a source of independent data and insights at the heart of the US healthcare market, we are excited by the opportunity ahead, for us and our customers, and look to the future with confidence.'
Headquartered in Edinburgh, Craneware has about 200 employees in the UK made up mainly of product developers and engineers. The company employs roughly another 600 people in the US following the £283m acquisition of Florida-based Sentry in 2021.
Shares in the company closed up 10.44%, or 235p, at 2,480p.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Woman, 48, dies suddenly in Alicante airport on her way back from 'best holiday'
Woman, 48, dies suddenly in Alicante airport on her way back from 'best holiday'

Daily Mirror

time30 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Woman, 48, dies suddenly in Alicante airport on her way back from 'best holiday'

Angela McTier, 48, from Lanarkshire, was heading to Alicante airport in a taxi to fly home after a break in La Mata in south east Spain when she was suddenly taken ill A Scottish grandmother tragically passed away at a Spanish airport whilst returning from her holiday. ‌ Angela McTier, from Blantyre in Lanarkshire, was travelling to Alicante airport in a taxi when she suffered a burst varicose vein, resulting in severe blood loss. The 48 year old made it to the airport but collapsed in the departure lounge. ‌ Sadly, despite emergency treatment, she passed away at the scene on Tuesday July 22. Her daughter, Michelle Hilston, told STV that her mum had been working to get healthier so she could see her granddaughters grow up. ‌ The 24 year old said: "My mum watched the grandkids at least two nights every week and always looked forward to them coming over. I'm heartbroken for my two girls who have just lost that special relationship with her. If there's one thing my mum loved, it was going on holiday, she thrived over there and this particular holiday to La Mata she just kept saying how amazing it was, it was her best holiday and she'd felt so well and couldn't wait to bring the grandkids over. "She was due to go away with me and my two toddlers next month as well." Michelle disclosed that her mum provided crucial help when she was studying for a midwifery degree. She sent her mum a video of her 11-month-old granddaughter taking her first steps, reports the Daily Record. Michelle added: "She helped me out so much to pursue my dream degree after having my kids and always made sure I had all the childcare and financial support I needed. Her holidays were a special thing for her, she went multiple times a year, and it was one of the things she loved doing the most. "But the thing she loved the most was her granddaughters and would ask for pictures of them multiple times a day. The day she died, I had sent her a video of my 11-month-old finally walking, and she was in tears over the video, phoning everyone to tell them, and I'm glad that's the last video she saw of the kids." A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Spain." A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with the expenses of bringing Angela home and covering her funeral costs. You can donate to the fundriser by clicking here.

Starmer told to demand Trump ends tariffs on Scotch whisky
Starmer told to demand Trump ends tariffs on Scotch whisky

The Herald Scotland

time43 minutes ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Starmer told to demand Trump ends tariffs on Scotch whisky

Shock waves were sent through the Scottish whisky industry in April when Mr Trump announced 10% tariffs - a rise from zero tariffs - on imports of the product into the US. America is the largest export market by value for Scotch whisky, with 2024 figures showing the market was worth £971m to the industry. Single malt whisky was previously hit with a 25% tariff in 2019, during the first Trump presidency - a decision later estimated to have cost the industry around £600m over a two-year period. That tariff, which expired in 2021, came about due to a battle between the US and the EU over subsidies for plane makers Airbus and its American rival Boeing. READ MORE: Mark Kent, chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said the US President's visit to Scotland "is a timely opportunity to highlight the enduringly positive relationship that has lasted between Scotland and the United States for centuries". He added: "It is underpinned by our diaspora who now call the United States home, and the cross-Atlantic trade which generates investment and creates jobs in communities across Scotland and in States across the US. "Scotch Whisky and US whiskey embody that close and abiding relationship. Our two great industries collaborate, invest and trade, and both have flourished under zero-tariff access to UK and US markets for over thirty years. The visit is a critical moment for the UK government to re-engage in discussions to remove the tariffs on Scotch Whisky in the industry's largest global market. 'We are urging the Prime Minister and ministers to push for tariff removal for Scotch [[Whisky]], and demonstrate the UK Government's commitment to ensuring a key UK export can thrive and grow.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will meet President Donald Trump on Monday (Image: PA) The Scottish Conservative's shadow cabinet secretary for business, economy, tourism and culture Murdo Fraser said: 'All tariffs are damaging, but when he meets President Trump, Keir Starmer must make the strongest possible case for protecting the whisky industry from additional taxes. 'Scotch whisky accounts for almost a quarter of the UK's entire food and drink exports and is worth more than £7billion to the economy, as well as supporting tens of thousands of jobs. 'The Prime Minister has a patchy record on negotiations, but this is a chance for him to stand up for Scotland's interests, and it's crucial he rises to the challenge.' Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said: 'Securing tariff free access to American markets needs to be a top priority. The Scottish economy is already fragile from years of SNP neglect, it doesn't need any more upheaval. 'Scotch whisky producers will want to know with certainty what tariff rate they are likely to face going forward. 'Having rolled out the red carpet to Donald Trump, the pressure is now on to get a good deal for Scotland and the whole UK.' Scotch whisky accounts for three quarters of Scottish food and drink exports and about a quarter across the UK creating more than 40,000 jobs in Scotland. The industry is also a huge tourist attraction for domestic and international visitors. The US imported almost £1billion of Scotch last year and is a crucial international market for the industry but companies, including Diageo, Scotland's biggest whisky producer, have warned US tariffs could slash profits by hundreds of millions of pounds. More than 41,000 people are employed in the Scotch Whisky industry in Scotland and over 25,000 more jobs across the UK are supported by the industry In 2022, Scotch whisky accounted for 26% of all Scotland's international goods exports and 2% of all UK goods exports The Prime Minister is expected to discuss a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the war in Ukraine when he meets Mr Trump. On Monday, the leaders are expected to discuss progress on implementing the UK-US trade deal, hopes for a ceasefire in the Middle East and applying pressure on Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. They are also expected to talk one-on-one about advancing implementation of the landmark Economic Prosperity Deal so that citizens of both countries can benefit from boosted trade links between their two countries. The Prime Minister is also expected to welcome the president's administration working with Qatar and Egypt to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza. The US President played golf on Saturday and Sunday at his Turnberry golf course, and on Sunday afternoon met European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. After the meeting on Monday, Mr Starmer and Mr Trump will travel on together for a further private engagement in Aberdeen. Mr Trump is expected to meet First Minister John Swinney on Tuesday. The US President will visit the UK again in September for his second state visit. A spokesperson for Number 10 said it was expected they will discuss 'what more can be done to secure the ceasefire urgently, bring an end to the unspeakable suffering and starvation in Gaza and free the hostages who have been held so cruelly for so long'. The war in Ukraine will also be up for discussion with both politicians 'set to talk about their shared desire to bring an end to the barbaric war' according to Number 10, and expected to 'reflect on progress in their 50-day drive to arm Ukraine and force Putin to the negotiating table'. A spokesperson for the UK Government said: 'The UK and the US have one of the closest, most productive alliances the world has ever seen, working together to cooperate on defence, intelligence, technology and trade. 'The UK was the first country to agree a deal with the US that lowered tariffs on key sectors and has received one of the lowest reciprocal tariff rates in the world. 'Businesses in aerospace and autos are already benefiting from the strong relationship the UK has with the US and the deal agreed on May 8. 'The Government is working at pace with the US to go further to deliver benefits to working people on both sides of the Atlantic and to give UK industry the security it needs, protect vital jobs, and put more money in people's pockets through the Plan for Change.' Mr Trump teed off on Sunday morning, being welcomed by supporters who urged him "don't trust Starmer". The Republican leader arrived around 11am at the coastal course in Ayrshire and played golf with his son, Eric. Police were seen patrolling the golf course as associates played earlier in the morning before a huge motorcade of golf caddies arrived around 10.40am. Dressed in a white baseball cap branded 'USA', Mr Trump waved at journalists who shouted questions at him as he teed off. Supporters of the president carrying placards stood in the dunes urging him, "Don't trust Starmer", also shouting, "We love you Trump". Three people gathered to support the Republican leader, carrying a hand-painted placard which read: "President Trump don't trust Starmer". It branded the Prime Minister an explicit term, and was jointly held by a man dressed in black, who wore an Adidas baseball cap. A woman holding the sign wore a red baseball cap reading "Make America Great Again" with fake hair attached and appeared to laugh as she watched. Another female supporter dressed in a floral anorak, held an American flag and wore a baseball cap reading "Make England Great Again". She carried a smaller sign that also branded Starmer an explicit term. A female well-wisher could be heard repeatedly shouting "We love you Trump" and "thank you". Someone else shouted: "Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump". Meanwhile, a man was arrested at Prestwick Airport on Friday evening for allegedly carrying a placard calling [[Donald Trump]] an offensive word. The man, aged 20, was arrested next to the military airport in Ayrshire where Air Force One landed "for abusive behaviour and refusing to stop", according to Police Scotland. The force said on Saturday that no arrests had been made, although a 50-year-old woman was issued with a recorded police warning in connection with alleged threatening behaviour at a Stop Trump Scotland protest outside the US consulate in Edinburgh on Saturday. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A 20-year-old man was arrested next to Prestwick Airport on Friday for abusive behaviour and refusing to stop. "He was given a recorded police warning." The UK Government was approached for comment.

Independence will be won by narratives, not technicalities
Independence will be won by narratives, not technicalities

The National

timean hour ago

  • The National

Independence will be won by narratives, not technicalities

I was happy to do this because I am quite sure an online subscription to the paper is a bargain. In summary, I suggested there are three reasons why The National is of value: It seeks to tell the truth in a world where that is rare The paper is clear about what it seeks to achieve, which is Scottish independence, and what it wants from doing so, believing it will benefit everyone in the country. It tries harder than any newspaper I know to explain how the goals that it promotes might be achieved Together, these add up to a narrative, and narrative mattersto me. Simultaneously, I was discussing with a team what makes for a good YouTube video. I am now creating more than 400 of these a year and, on average, they are attracting significantly more views than is typical for that channel, so I hope I have some insight into this. READ MORE: Man arrested for 'carrying a placard calling Donald Trump an offensive word' My summary on this, which I have learned through painful experience, is that there are usually five steps to this process, which are largely consistent with any narrative anyone might ever want to create. These are: You have a situation involving an unresolved stress that needs to be resolved as the story progresses The narrator of the story has a desire to resolve this issue, which they can explain, including by suggesting what outcome they want There is a problem or conflict that must be resolved before change can take place The necessary conditions to remove that obstacle to progress can be described The consequence is that the stress can be removed, and the person engaging with the story can understand how they might be better off as a result I am not claiming any great or novel insight here (pun intended). All I am relating is the foundation of the plot for just about any book, film or even newspaper column that you have ever read or watched. Of course, there are lots of ways in which variations on this theme can be created, but the fact is that, as life has taught me, resolving stress is pretty much what everything in life is about. It was undoubtedly the basis of my professional life during the 40 years I worked as a chartered accountant. Why is it worth relating these two tales? It is because understanding how narratives are created and resolved is crucial to the cause of Scottish independence, as well as to the broader political economy. The reason is quite simple: the hearts, souls and minds of those who will have to vote for independence will not be swayed by technicalities, however important they might be; nor are our relationships of power ever altered using financial or other data. Instead, it is stories that make and change our world. As a result, it is the power of the independence movement to create stories that really matters. Using the plot steps I note above, I suspect that every reader of this newspaper knows what the conflict Scotland faces is. It is being governed by interests that are wholly uninterested in the wellbeing of the people of Scotland, and they are based in another country. I do, again, suspect most readers are very well aware of what they desire. They wish for an independent Scotland. What we do, however, know is that there is a conflict, and that is that the Westminster political parties do not want Scotland – or Wales or Northern Ireland, come to that – to be independent. They wish to hang on to their remaining colonies. They are putting every obstacle they can in the way of independence. I'll jump a stage and suggest most people reading this article would also know the people of Scotland will be better off than they are now if independence is won. The end of this story is known. In that case, using this simple analytical tool, we can see that the problem for the Scottish independence cause is at stage four of the narrative process. What the SNP, in particular, are having difficulty with is explaining how the obstacles to progress can be removed. What John Swinney said recently has done very little to change this. That is, then, what the political economic debate in Scotland must now focus on. I particularly emphasise this because while, as an economist, technicalities matter to me, narratives matter more. The Irish independence movement in the early 20th century never clearly defined what an independent Ireland would look like before achieving its goal. That was unfortunate, because the civil war developed soon after London had agreed to grant Ireland its freedom, and this must be avoided in the case of Scotland. However, my point is that without discussion on a currency, or any other technicality, the case for independence in Ireland was primarily shaped by the narratives that the Irish independence movement created for itself. Through the poetry of Yeats, the plays of Synge, stories from the west of Ireland, and tales of the persecution that had happened, plus the promotion of cultural centres such as the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, a narrative was created that captured the popular imagination not just in Ireland, but also of sympathetic people elsewhere. I think this is essential and I am not sure I am seeing or hearing enough of it in Scotland. Now, I readily admit I live in England and so it would be easy for me to miss this, but there again, people outside Ireland in the early 20th century could not have missed the intellectual and literary momentum that promoted the politics of independence at that time. So, much as I think that technical issues around currency, taxation, and other such matters will have to be resolved before independence can happen, I am also of the opinion that the popular resolve to create an independent Scotland cannot be achieved without more storytelling. That storytelling has to build on genuine, and not fabricated, Scottish tradition. It has to emphasise that the reality of Scottish life can be improved. And what it needs to do is be clear that there is sufficient cohesion within Scotland for a strong and proud nation that does more than support its rugby, football and curling teams, but which wants to be independent as well. Emphasising Scottish modern culture will also be key. In that regard, I was heartened to see Scottish performers proudly displaying the Saltire at Glastonbury. That makes a difference, as does the championing of the cause by people such as actor David Tennant. All that being said, though, there is still a story to tell, and when it is, I think that the critical breakthrough will happen. I also happen to think The National will be part of that story, which is why an annual subscription for £20 will definitely be worth the money.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store