John Mitchell (Grangemouth) sees profit growth thanks to cost-controls

John Mitchell (Grangemouth) has reported a significant rise in profit after cost-control measures and a focus on its warehousing arm.

For the year ending 31 March, the haulage and warehousing business recorded a turnover largely static compared with last year, at £13.2m.

However, pre-tax profit increased almost fourfold to £346,707 (2015: £88,530).

MD Iain Mitchell said control of the company’s costs helped drive much of its profit.

“We are tight on that. We have focused more on the warehouse side to make it a bigger percentage of the overall business. We are also focusing on business where we can give added value,” said Mitchell.

In its latest financial results filed at Companies House, the company said it had made considerable investment over the past few years in equipment and staff to help take the business forward in its current shape and to prepare the company for the next generation.

Mitchell said the investment meant it operated a modern fleet of tractors and had renovated 80% of its trailer fleet.

He added: “My son is two years in and he’s learning the business. We’ve also employed an operations manager, Sandy McGiven.

"We have invested in time and training and we are seeing the benefits.”