Food distribution firm posts £1.1M profit
The firm’s md Malcolm Johnstone said the business had strived to understand the complexities of the supply chain in order to provide a bespoke service to each of its customers.
In order to provide this service, Johnstone said the Lincolnshire-based logistics company had made considerable investments in its staff, facilities and procedures over the past year.
“There has been considerable capital investment during 2013 in our IT equipment, properties and commercial vehicle fleet, all of which has been made using cash reserves rather than through debt, which is an indication of the strength of our balance sheet and aims to ensure long-term profitable growth,” he added.
Three consecutive years
ACS&T, whose customers include McCain, Young’s Seafood, 3663 and ice cream manufacturer Menorquina, has now shown profit growth for three consecutive years.
The firm also signed new deals with speciality meat and poultry processor Pinnacle Foods and bakery Eghoyan’s, last year.
“We operate in a consumer-driven market, which means we have to be capable of adapting to the ever-evolving requirements of both current and prospective customers,” Johnstone said. “This involves regularly identifying potential gaps in the market and growing our service offering accordingly.”
Over the next year, the firm aims to introduce a nationwide pallet distribution network, alongside a, multi-user, kerbside delivery network. It will also invest in a cold store facility to enable services expansion, Johnstone claimed.
“Our existing product portfolio and these two new exciting additions have been developed to provide our customers with even greater flexibility when it comes to delivery options,” he added.
Exceptional costs of £160,499 have been recorded (2012: £494,350). These relate to property costs.
Training
In 2013, all warehousing staff completed the Food Storage and Distribution Federation (FSDF) QCF logistics training programme, to ensure continuing customer service and operational excellence. ACS&T plans to expand the QCF qualification to transport staff in 2014.
ACS&T passed its British Retail Consortium (BRC) audit for the fifth year running. This makes it the first food logistics business to be awarded with the BRC Storage & Distribution certificate across all temperature regimes, Johnstone claimed.
“We have the upmost confidence in our quality systems, but it’s always reassuring to hear that external auditors are in agreement,” he added. “Our commitment to excellence underpins everything we do here at ACS&T, so it is extremely important for us to retain the BRC qualification year after year.”
ACS&T operates from four centres in Grimsby, Wolverhampton, Tewkesbury and Scarborough. Its sites include 12 cold stores, three ambient stores, and nationwide, dedicated and shared-user multi-temperature transport fleets.
