LONDON — Components distributor Premier Farnell plc increased full-year pretax profits by 73 percent to £ 61.5 million ($118 million) with sales performing well in all markets.

Sales for the financial year ended January 28 were up 8 percent to £823.1 million.

Harriet Green, the company's CEO, said growth for the full year was in line with expectations, adding that she expects to see strong growth in the next quarter and for the year.

"We have carried the momentum of the fourth quarter into the new financial year and anticipate continued growth in line with our expectations," said Green.

Sales were up 3.4 percent in the U.K, 14.2 percent in mainland Europe and 6 percent in Asia.

The strongest growth for the coming year is expected to come from emerging markets such as China and in Eastern Europe. Green said expansion plans in China are on schedule and that the company will soon launch its Chinese (Mandarin) catalogue, web site and ordering system.

She said the focus on growth through its electronic design engineer customer base is paying dividends.

On restructuring, Green said the sale of the BuckHickman operation is now substantially complete. "Sales [at BuckHickman] were down in the quarter, though much of the shortfall was anticipated and can be attributed to the lower volumes from a major automotive customer," she added.