Gale to weather the storm

Gale Pacific, the outdoor fabric and sunshade maker, suffered its share of growing pains last year. However, analysts are confident the company can produce double-digit earnings growth in 2005, despite mounting evidence that consumer spending in its core Australian market is softening.

Last week, managing director and co-founder Gary Gale informed shareholders that the company's Australian retail business which sells gazebos, umbrellas and waterproof shade sails under the "Coolaroo" banner had been hit by an "extraordinarily poor summer season" that had shaved more than $5 million off the group's sales.