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Overall industry sates up

21st August 2008, Page 12
21st August 2008
Page 12
Page 12, 21st August 2008 — Overall industry sates up
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

SALES IN THE transport industry are growing by 6%, down on the 8% growth seen last year, according to Plimsoll Analysis' latest road haulage report.

Of the 2,000 firms analysed, 67% are holding or increasing sales on last year, but 45% are making less profit than last year. Some 23% of operators are selling at a loss, while 29% are in more debt now than they were last year.

Acumen Logistics is one firm to have shrugged off the credit crunch, increasing its turnover by 120% from £5.8m to £10.6m for the year ending 31 March 2008, with profit up 284% for the same period.

John Stocker, business development manager at Acumen, says: -Our customers like the benefits of a smaller company where they can get the attention they want."

Meanwhile, European freight operator RH Group saw a 20% rise in pre-tax profit, up to £3.57m for the year to December 2007. Turnover rose 3% to £122.3m.

Managing director Ian Baxter says rocketing fuel costs and a sharp decline in sterling's value against the euro have increased the cost of European transport by more than 20%.

Finally, distribution group NWF saw pre-tax profit fall 27% from £5.8m to £4.2m in the year ending 31 May. Chief executive Richard Whiting attributes this to major investments in warehousing.


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