ARR Craib 2

Aberdeen-based ARR Craib Transport has said that the falling price of oil in 2014 did not stop its growth last year, as it leaned on food and drink and construction and building customers.

In the year-ending 31 March 2015 turnover rose to £52.8, from £46.1m in the previous year, while pre-tax profit was flat at £1.69m.

Craib chief operating officer Eddie Anderson said that the financial results for the year were strong, given the significant downturn suffered in the UK oil and gas industry from late 2014: “This has impacted on many of our oil and gas customers and we work closely with them as they continue to navigate the current economic environment.”

Anderson added that the group had benefitted from its diverse customer base: “There has been particularly strong growth in the UK food and drinks sector. This is a highly competitive sector with specific skills requirements and we are pleased to note that our service offering is so positively valued by many internationally known names in the fast moving consumer goods market.”

However he warned that all customers were continuing to demand best value from their supply chain, and that it would have to be accepted that there will be ongoing pressure on rates and margins in “the months and years ahead”.

The Palletline member also said that it had expanded its hubs in Aberdeen, Cumbernauld and Stockton as a result of strong growth in the space.

In September 2014 the operator completed the purchase of a large site neighbouring its head office in Aberdeen and during the first half of 2015 it has completed a substantial refurbishment of the entire facility at a cost to the firm of approximately £2m.

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