ARR Craib has boosted both turnover and pre-tax profit despite what it describes as “sporadic and unpredictable” trading conditions for the road transport sector during its last financial year.

The Aberdeen-based haulier saw turnover up nearly 10% for the year ended 31 March 2013 to £42.8m and pre-tax profit up 3% to £1.4m from £1.36m the previous year.

It attributes the bulk of its success to a campaign to reduce fuel consumption and the business’s carbon footprint, as well as a strong performance and market share gains from its oil service sector contracts.

In addition, ARR Craib said it had increased its sales via its membership of the Palletline pallet network, something it is looking to build on with  a new site in the North of England early next year.

Management structure

The logistics firm also revealed it has revamped its board structure, putting in place a group board to oversee strategy, and an operational board to handle the day-to-day running of the business.

Eddie Anderson, new chief executive and previously MD, said: “It is important for us to always be looking forward towards the next goal, and we felt it was important to distinguish between strategic and operational board level.

The new structure will enable us to take full advantage of growth opportunities and deal efficiently with challenges that arise.”

During its financial year, ARR Crain invested £3.7m on its fleet and IT developments and boosted staffing levels from 350 to 400 employees.

Anderson added: “We have invested heavily this year, and while we are pleased with the results that this has produced to date, we realise that the return on the investment will come in the years to follow.”

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