Operating profit more than doubled at Fowler Welch for the year ended 30th September rising from £1.6m in 2014 to £3.5m.
Profits were up despite the fact that revenue reduced by seven per cent to £72.3m primarily due to lower fuel costs which were passed on to customers.
Fowler Welch is part of the Dart Group. In its results for the year, Dart said Fowler Welch and its partner had continued to develop their joint venture operation, Integrated Service Solutions, which provides a range of fruit ripening and packing services to the produce sector. Throughput and revenue were increasing as the mix of product and the productivity of the various packing lines improves.
The business operates from eight prime UK distribution sites, with major temperature-controlled operations in the key produce growing and importing areas of Spalding in Lincolnshire, Teynham and Paddock Wood in Kent and Hilsea near Portsmouth. Ambient (non-temperature-controlled) consolidation and distribution services are provided at Desborough, Northamptonshire and at Heywood near Bury, Greater Manchester. It also operates two regional distribution sites at Washington, Tyne and Wear and at Newton Abbott, Devon.
Group operating profit for the Dart Group increased 65 per cent to £147.1m. The group said the increase in group operating profit reflected consistently strong summer trading in its Leisure Travel business coupled with the distribution & logistics business performing ahead of last year.
However, it said, increased losses are to be expected in the second half of the year as the Leisure Travel business invests in additional aircraft, advertising and people.
