A trailer manufacturer is celebrating a record year after seeing turnover increase and pre-tax profits soar.
Latest accounts registered for Don-Bur (Bodies and Trailers), headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, show turnover hit £85.1 million in the year to 30 September 2023, up 23 per cent from £69.4 in the previous year.
Pre-tax profits rose 87 per cent from £5.3 million to £9.9 million over the same period.
A strategic report filed with Companies House reads: “2022/23 has been a record year for both turnover and profitability. Turnover has risen 23 per cent from the last financial year to £85 million.
“The global crises that caused so many issues post 2019 have settled down during this period with the labour market settling down but with a continued shortage of highly skilled workers.
“Price increases in materials have also largely stabilised throughout the period, but we have continued to re-assess all contracts nonetheless for any increases that we have suffered and kept the mechanisms firmly in place to pass on cost increases to end customers. This process has resulted in us continuing to protect our margins throughout the period.”
Further efforts are now being made to increase profitability even more.
A directors’ report adds: “Continuous development is at the heart of our operations. In addition to our product innovation, we are always looking for ways to improve processes which will enhance quality, ensure delivery on time, and improve profitability.
“We are also absolutely committed to investing in our people and are currently re-examining our pay framework, internal communications and training policies so that we can attract and retain the calibre of people that we need to help us move forwards.”
It continues: “The company’s longer-term strategy for beyond 2023 is to continue to grow its market share organically, to invest in our internal systems and to improve on our quality, profitability and sustainability by seizing the many opportunities available to become more efficient both through good management and prudent investment.”
The company, which employs 468 people, is based in Longton.
