Bespak PLC (Bergen Way, King's Lynn, GB-Norfolk PE30 2JJ) is the world's leading supplier of delivery devices for the respiratory drug industry. Increasing demand for dry powder inhaler products has lead to significant increases in capacity at its plant in the UK. It is the exclusive supplier of Glaxo Wellcome's dry powder respiratory inhaler, "Accuhaler", and has recently completed the second phase of capacity installation for this device. A third stage of expansion will come on stream during 1998 requiring significant investment at its UK plant. The company is also working with major valve customers on programmes to change the propellants for metered dose asthma inhalers from CFC to new HFA (hydrofluoralkane) propellants. During the coming year, Bespak will be installing new clean room manufacturing facilities for the manufacture of these new range of valves. At its UK plant the company operates some 115 injection moulding machines.

For the 1996/97 (02.05.) financial year the group reported increased turnover of 2% to GBP 77.7m (from GBP 76.2m) with a 26% improvement in profit before tax to GBP 11m (GBP 8.7m). Results were strongest for its UK operations which accounted for GBP 47.2m of sales and GBP 9.6m of profit. Its US operations include Tenax Corporation, a supplier of specialist assemblies and components to the medical device industry and Bespak Inc which supplies the US pharmaceutical industry with drug delivery devices. Tenax, which made a small loss during the year, has recently completed a restrucuturig programme. Bespak Inc reported steady sales and satisfactory profit levels.