Profit boost for North Yorkshire haulier (From York Press)

Profit boost for North Yorkshire haulier

7:00am Thursday 1st November 2012 in Business news By Julie Hayes, Business editor

POTTER Group Logistics has increased turnover across all areas of the business in the year ending April 2012.

The company, which has distribution centres in York, Selby and Ripon, recorded turnover of £15.2 million, up 2.8 per cent on 2011, and increased pre-tax profit of £1,035,000, up 27 per cent on 2011.

It is the fourth year in a row that the Yorkshire based logistics, waste management and property specialist has delivered improved profits, despite the continued difficult trading conditions, said Matthew Lamb, managing director of Potter Group Logistics.

He said: "Our focus is on delivering first class customer service. We have achieved this whilst applying rigorous controls on overheads across all areas of the business.

"The management team has ensured that our six distribution centres (DCs) have been run efficiently by maximising the use of buildings and vehicles to give our customers the most cost effective service.

“Not only have we employed stringent financial controls to achieve these margins, but also our sales team has worked hard to increase business with both existing customers and new contract wins.

"September 2011 saw us begin a five year agreement with chemical giant Johnson Matthey and we were also awarded a two year contract extension with Elanco, the animal health division of Eli Lilly."

He said the acquisition of Elvington-based haulier, House of James in May had given the business a significant increase in turnover, another distribution centre in Yorkshire and access to the Palletline pallet network.

“All in all it has been a strong performance from our entire team and this has given us the confidence to approach 2012/13 with real belief and optimism about the challenges ahead.

"With new business prospects in the pipeline, a strong financial base and continued hard work from the team, Potter Group Logistics is on course to achieve the pragmatic goals we have set for this financial year," he said.