The managing director of John Mitchell (Grangemouth) said an increase in turnover and profit at the company was down to being tough with customers who wouldn’t move on rates.

The haulage and warehousing firm saw an 8.5% increase in turnover for the year ending 31 March 2013, to almost £13m.

Pre-tax profit more than doubled to £392,000 compared with the previous year.

MD Iain Mitchell said: “The hardest bit for any business is making the tough, difficult decisions. We have made a few difficult decisions and walked away from a few customers and focused on others.

“These are businesses that we have been working for that just wouldn’t move on rates. Working for the same money as five years ago is impossible, in my opinion.”

He added: “We provide a good service offering and we work hard at providing a quality service for people who want to pay for it. They are not getting it for nothing.

"We are making big investments every year and I am looking for customers that will commit to me and support me, not people using me because we are the cheapest.”

The company’s warehouse division saw “massive growth” during the period, with capacity increased by 25%.

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