I'd like to use this post to thank all those who've phoned or emailed me with messages of support following our acquisition by Arran Isle Ltd.

All of our key suppliers, and many of our customers, have contacted me to say they're happy with what has been agreed and have endorsed my view that it's business as usual for Mila.

The restructuring was always going to make us the subject of gossip – particularly since the deal was concluded during Glassex – but the voices of support both in person and in the press have definitely drowned out the detractors and I now want to move on and get back to the business of running Mila.

Today, we're launching the Prolinea Shootbolt Espag - a new and improved version of our popular 8 Series shootbolt espag - and we've a whole series of further new product launches planned for January and February next year, so keep checking our product previews section.

I've no doubt that our competitors would prefer it if Mila kept a low profile for a while or cut back on our product development and investment programmes - but I can assure you that we’ve certainly no intention of doing that.

Richard