Turnover and profit at Welch's Transport continued their upward trend last year, despite the Cambridgeshire haulier contending with a relocation and the driver shortage.

Newly published accounts for the year to 31 December 2015 show that turnover increased by 8% year-on-year to £12.6m, while pre-tax profit rose by 39% to £166,078 in the same period.

Road haulage and warehousing operations accounted for the majority of Welch's turnover, with its garage activities, crane hire and furniture sales made up around £2.2m.

In Welch’s business review for the period it said: “The beginning of the year suffered from considerable disruption as the business relocated its distribution operation and commercial garage to new, purpose built premises.

“Once settled the focus moved to growing volumes to fill a much bigger and better quality facility.”

It added: “The majority of markets in which the business operates showed continued improvement and whilst the shortage of skilled labour, particularly HGV drivers and technicians, continued staff retention and the consequent reduced turnover was much improved.

“The newly launched HGV Driver Apprentice programme and a significant increase in the number of HGV technicians contributed to this improvement.”

MD Jim Welch was approached for comment.

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