Wincanton’s commercial vehicle maintenance division, Pullman Fleet Services, has performed well in the first quarter of the current financial year, its parent has said.In its interim management statement, published on Friday (26 July), Wincanton said it has a “good pipeline” of opportunities for Pullman.

It added that there has been no significant change in the firm’s financial position since it posted a £24.8m pre-tax profit for the year ended 31 March 2013, despite seeing a downturn in volumes in its containers business.

Chief executive Eric Born said: “Wincanton has started the year well and we are on track to continue to deliver our strategic plan. Last year the Group demonstrated its ability to increase profitability in a broadly flat economy.

“While we expect the economy to remain challenging, we continue to progress along our path to maximise our operational performance and focus on free cash flow generation."

This year Wincanton has won a contract with Cemex, as well as renewed business with Pernod Ricard and Morrisons.