Kitchen equipment group Aga Foodservice today set a new target of selling 15,000 cookers a year by 2006.

It followed a "landmark" year for the Birmingham-based group as sales of Agas topped 10,000 for the first time in 2003.

Expectations of higher sales were boosted by growing global demand for the historic cookers - invented in 1922 by a Swedish Nobel prize-winning physicist.

The cookers are sold alongside Aga's home furnishings businesses, including the 55-strong chain of Fired Earth stores in the UK which it acquired three years ago.

Aga said its results for the 12 months to December 31 were "satisfactory", with pre-tax profits rising 5.3% to £35.9 million and turnover up 18.8% at £392.4 million.

Growth in the UK was partially offset by a weak US performance with losses of £500,000 at its Domain Home Fashions outlets in the year.

The group is optimistic of a turnaround at Domain with orders well ahead of 2003. Trading at its consumer division remained strong into the new year, Aga added.

But market conditions remained difficult in its foodservice division with weak demand from pubs and supermarkets. Profits in the division increased to £14.3 million last year from £13 million a year ago.

Chief executive William McGrath said: "2004 will be an exciting year for the group as the work of the past three years, on new products and on the routes to market, drives top line growth."

New ranges include refrigeration products introduced from the US such as wine fridges and ice makers. The group has also rolled out a new range of electric Aga products and the Infinity Fryer, which uses less oil.

Friday March 19, 2004