Family haulage firm Miniclipper Logistics defied a “challenging” year to deliver a 15% growth in turnover and a 21% rise in pre-tax profit in the 12 months to 31 May 2024.

Leighton Buzzard-based Miniclipper Logistics is a third generation family business and has operating licences for 86 trucks and 68 trailers.

It has five sites including a 4.5 acre distribution centre in Dunstable and a satellite transport operation at Burton upon Trent, as well as 600,000sq ft of warehousing space and employs around 200 staff.

The company, which is a member of Palletline and The Hazchem Network, specialises in transport and warehousing services, ecommerce logistics and ADR storage and distribution.

Reporting its latest annual results for the year to 31 May 2024, Miniclipper declared a rise in turnover to £26.8m (2023: £23.4m) and revealed a jump in pre-tax profit to £1.7m (2023: £1.4m).

In its strategic review to the results, Miniclipper put its performance down to “sustained high demand” for warehousing and transport services from existing customers as well as new prospects.

During the year Miniclipper completed the redevelopment and upgrading of its Billington Road site in Leighton Buzzard, which saw its warehousing capacity increase to 130,000sq ft.

The company said the work was completed in early June 2023, with the additional space becoming operational in October 2023 and “full shortly thereafter.”

Another key milestone, following the opening of its 95,000sq ft Burton upon Trent warehouse facility in March 2023, was Miniclipper’s decision to base a fleet of nine vehicles and 13 trailers at the site, with transport operations beginning in January 2024.

The strategic report also noted that Miniclipper continued to renew its fleet during the year, with orders placed as part of a wider policy to gradually convert the fleet to owned rather than contract hire.

The year also saw the company reduce its debtor days to 42.3 days, down from 49.2 in the previous year, following a concerted campaign.

The report stated: “The debtor days decreased by 6.9 days at year end compared to prior year end date, and is the result of a stronger credit control by the finance team.

“This was especially so in the latter part of the year, ensuring that credit control remains an area of focus and any undue any overdue balances with our customers are chased to ensure the adherence to the agreed credit terms.”

Summing up the year the report concluded: “We are satisfied with the trend in sustained levels of activity and growth, as with last year.”

However it noted that with energy and fuel prices, in particular, continuing at high levels, the year had been a challenging one for Miniclipper, adding “therefore we are pleased that gross margins have shown a small increase”.

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