abacus group plc
annual report  accounts 2005
abacus house
bone lane
newbury
berkshire
rg14 5sf
wwwabacusgroupcouk
abacus group plc annual report  accounts 2005 the abacus group is a leading franchised distributor of electronic components flatpanel
displays printers and related products and provides additional value added services
including technical support cable and electromechanical subassembly and the design
and build of display systems
the group employs approximately 750 people and has 9 principal trading businesses
operating in the uk eire benelux scandinavia and italy
the group’s philosophy is to offer as wide a product range as possible in order to be in
tune with the widespread market trend towards supply chain management and vendor
reduction to work at design level with both existing and new customers in order to be
involved in the proliferation of new products that typifies the electronics industry and to
combine these features with an unusually high level of personal service and commitment
the group has a continual programme of investment to ensure that the logistics and
systems are in place to support and further these aims
contents
financial and operational highlights 1
abacus group at a glance 2
chairman’s statement 4
chief executive’s review 6
financial review 9
the board of directors secretary and advisors 11
directors’ report 12
corporate governance statements 17
corporate social responsibility 22
directors’ remuneration report 24
statement of directors’ responsibilities 32
auditors’ report 33
financial statements 34
five year summary 56
notice of annual general meeting 57
form of proxy 59
geographic coverage ibc abacus group plc 1
financial and operational highlights
2005 was in line with the board’s expectations as announced in the july trading
update notwithstanding the weakness exhibited by our markets the business
has performed ahead of the competition gaining market share we believe we
are well placed for 2006


Summary:
 abacus group at a glance

abacus polar has been at the forefront of electronic
component distribution for over 30 years the sales operation
is run through a network of regional sales offices offering local
customer support it currently has 19 sales operations in 10
locations covering the uk and eire a wide range of market
leading franchises are represented across all product
technologies abacus polar prides itself on its high level of
customer service
micromark ccd is based in maidenhead and
distributes products across the uk and eire micromark
was formed in 1970 combining with ccd in 2000
micromark ccd is a narrow line broadbased technology
electronic component distributor the company is dedicated
to providing excellent technical support alongside a high 
level of personal service
tdc was acquired by the abacus group in june
2004 the company is based in basingstoke and was
founded in 1992 it specialises in wireless and wired
products for embedded applications in machine to
machine m2m automotive consumer electronic and
telecommunication products 
electric component distribution
2 abacus group plc abacus group plc 3
abacus promax is headquartered in them in denmark
and was established in 1985 from its original base it now
markets its services through a network of 6 sales offices in
scandinavia abacus promax offers a complete range of
electronic technologies from the world’s leading suppliers
offering a high level of technical support through its highly
trained and qualified workforce has enabled abacus promax
to become a leading distributor in scandinavia
abacus ecc was purchased in 2004 and covers italy
through a network of regional offices with its headquarters in
milan the company approaches the market in three different
ways distribution where it holds franchises across all
component product groups manufacturers’ representative 
for a narrow range of blue chip component manufacturers 
and display and peripherals where in conjunction with
trident it offers a whole range of products into a variety 
of different applications
ctl is based in stonehouse gloucestershire and markets
its services across the uk and eire ctl offers a range of
subcontract manufacturing services to the electronics industry
including standard cable assemblies electromechanical
subassembly through to complex box build and associated
testing the 40000 sq ft facility in gloucestershire employs a
cell manufacturing technique to utilise space and processes
most efficiently automated and semiautomated equipment is
extensively used and where hand assembly is required the
technicians are highly trained and qualified the facility holds
approval to iso and babt and an iip award
ccs is based in runcorn and offers cost efficient wiring and
box build solutions from design through to complete project
management ccs markets its services in the uk and eire
and is approved to iso and ul
dubilier is headquartered in dunmow essex and has
been supplying products for the electronics industry for over
50 years originally a uk manufacturer dubilier now has its
products manufactured globally dubilier’s comprehensive
range of passive products has in recent years been
supplemented by electromechanical products such as fans
connectors fuses and more recently batteries the dubilier
name is synonymous with quality and value dubilier markets
its products through europe selling both direct and through
its distribution network
the trident microsystems group was formed
in 1967 and has grown to become the leading flatpanel
displays and printer specialist in the uk in addition it has 
an office in benelux and is expanding its operations in
scandinavia and italy
its expertise has been earned by successfully managing
customer projects through signing key franchises and by
investing in skilled people the group has products for oem
industrial medical retail instrumentation and automotive
designers as well as the capability to develop bespoke
display and manmachineinterface systems according to
customer need trident’s products and expertise are available
through field sales engineers a network of comprehensive
websites and through its inhouse technicians and product
specialists all ready to find solutions for customers needing
display printer industrial computer and card reader products
value added distribution services