A combination of winning and retaining business and improving efficiency helped turnover and pre-tax profit at Wincanton grow in the first half of this year.
The operator’s results for the six months to 30 September 2014 revealed that pre-tax profit grew by nearly a third to £12.7m, compared to £9.7m in the same period last year. Turnover also increased to £550.9m from £542.2m.
Speaking to Motortransport.co.uk, Wincanton chief executive Eric Born said the 3PL’s focus continued to be on winning new contracts as well as renewing them during the period, as well as continuing to review how it does business.
“Our strategy remains unchanged,” said Born. “We are constantly looking at how we do business and what we can do to benefit it.”
He said Wincanton was continuing to see growth off the back of the recent construction boom. The construction sector was worth £67.8m of its turnover during the period, compared to £64.7m last year.
Born said that Wincanton has plenty of room to grow its market share, particularly in the retail market in the UK and Ireland.
“We are looking into the sectors we are not currently in, but we’re mainly driving business in the ones that we are,” he said. “We have a great team and that’s clearly reflected in these six months' results and customers’ continued trust in us.”
In the first six months of its current financial year, Wincanton has won new and renewed contracts, among others, with General Dynamics UK, Adidas, Total, Howdens Joinery and a wine and spirits contract with Waitrose.
Born said the operator remains “on track” to deliver strong results for the current financial year.
