MOTOROLA, which has a network systems infrastructure plant at Groundwell, in Swindon, has reported record sales.

Its sales were $8.84 billion about £4.73 billion in the fourth quarter of 2004, an increase of $1.9 billion about £1.01 billion from the same period in 2003.

Reported earnings were 28c 15p a share, compared with 18c 10p a share in that part of the previous year.

For last year the company reported sales of $31.3 billion about £16.7 billion an increase of 35 per cent, from the prior year, and reported earnings of 91c 49p a share versus 39c 21p a share in 2003.

"We are pleased with the increases in sales and earnings we achieved this quarter," said chairman and CEO Ed Zander.

"The results reflect our sense of urgency around quality and customer satisfaction and the ability to provide world-class new products."