Japanese recruitment firm Artner (2163: JP) reported revenue today for the first quarter ended 30 April 2020 of JPY 2.00 billion (USD 17.1 million), an increase of 6.9% compared to last year.

Artner provides employment recruitment services across Japan offering permanent, temporary, and contract staffing services. In addition, Artner is also involved in the provision of mechanical design, electrical and electronic design, software, and chemical and bio-based research and development services.

Artner said due to unit price negotiations with client companies, the unit price of engineers increased from the same period of the previous year. In its contract business, the number of employees assigned to order-receiving projects increased due to ‘aggressive business development’. The group also said that by promoting flexible working amid the pandemic, travel and transportation expenses, meeting fees and other expenses have decreased.

Looking ahead, the company forecasted revenue of JPY 7.67 billion (USD 70.0 million) for the year ended January 2022.

Shares in Artner Co Ltd closed at JPY 843.00 (USD 7.70), up 0.36% on the day and 9.06% above its 52-week low of JPY 773.00 (USD 7.06), set on 13 May 2021. The company has a market cap of JPY 8.93 billion (USD 81.5 million).