DAYSOFT, the Blantyre -based contact lenses business has increased its pre-tax profits to £1.4 million as it saw a 13.2 per cent uplift in sales to £12.25m.

The company increased its dividend by 450 per cent, with shareholders taking home £974,506. Its founder, Ron Hamilton, holds the majority of the shares.

In addition, accounts newly published at Companies House, show Daysoft’s three directors were paid a total of £179,638, in the year to December 31.

Daysoft, which made a number of significant investments in the year, said it had “sound foundations for future profitable growth whilst giving regard to any uncertainties and opportunities being associated with Brexit”.

Daysoft develops, manufactures and sells substitution lenses, also known as direct-to-wearer lenses. These are not marketed by optical retailers, but are ordered directly. Daysoft delivers lenses to customers in more than 90 countries.

The majority, £8m, of its business is within the UK, while £4.25m was generated in the rest of the world.

Following a year in which the General Optical Council (GOC) said there was no evidence of user harm from substitution lenses, Daysoft ramped up its marketing activity.

It invested in a new multi-language “shop window” for its website, while it also invested in intellectual property based on patent filings and design rights.