Jadason Enterprises, the distributor of machines and materials for the printed circuit board (PCB) and semiconductor industries, posted a 257% increase in profit after tax of $1.5 million for 1Q 2010 compared to $0.4 million in 1Q 2009 on the back of a stronger performance from the Manufacturing and Support Services business.

Revenue for 1Q 2010 was $32.9 million, an increase of 9% compared with 1Q 2009 revenue of $30.2 million. Revenue for the Equipment and Supplies business for 1Q 2010 decreased by $1.7 million, or 9%, compared with 1Q 2009 due mainly to the decrease in equipment sales to printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers.

Revenue of the Manufacturing and Support Services business for 1Q 2010 increased by 39% to $15.6 million compared with 1Q 2009. The group’s Manufacturing and Support Services business in Dongguan continued to benefit from customers who have exposure to China’s 3G mobile services infrastructure equipment makers.

The demand for manufacturing and support services also improved at the group’s other locations due to a relatively better market for consumer electronics goods. This business segment reported an operating profit of $2.9 million for 1Q 2010, compared with $2 million for 1Q 2009.

Since the financial crisis in 2008, Jadason says PCB manufacturers have held back their expansion plans, resulting in lesser orders for the group’s equipment. However, sales of supplies improved compared with 1Q 2009. This business segment posted a smaller operating loss of $0.2 million for the quarter under review due to better sales mix compared to an operating loss of $1 million on 1Q 2009.