Princes reports profit growth after year of investment

By Gwen Ridler

- Last updated on GMT

Profits have grown a Princes as it continues to invest in its production capabilities
Profits have grown a Princes as it continues to invest in its production capabilities
Princes has reported a 56% jump in operating profit to £15m in its financial results for the year ended 31 March 2019, capping off a productive year of investment in plant and sustainability.

The growth in profits followed a year of success for the manufacturer, including the completion of the first phase of a planned £80m investment into the production facilities at its site in Long Sutton, Lincolnshire – a dedicated pea processing plant​ ​(pictured).

A reduction in the cost of sales reflected the lower revenue for the year, while a strategic review of the operational performance of the group’s manufacturing sites resulted in an impairment charge of £8.3m.

Profit growth as revenue falls

Princes’ pre-tax profit increased from £17.2m to £26.2m, despite lower revenue for the year – down 6% to £1.5bn – which the manufacturer attributed to a strategic reduction of volume in two areas of the business. Profit after tax came to £8.55m, up 8.9% from £7.84m.

A spokesman for the company said: “[The results] follow the significant business transformation programme initiated by the business at the end of 2017 to drive continuous growth and respond to challenging market conditions. We are seeing the outcomes of this programme coming to fruition rapidly.

“We will continue to make progress in achieving our vision of proudly helping families to eat well without costing the earth and delivering sustainable profit growth.”

£5m rebrand

Other developments at the company included the launch of a £5m rebrand across the Princes portfolio and business, an increase in the amount of recycled plastic used by the manufacturer and its partnership with Italian agricultural organisation Coldiretti to improve its tomato supply chain.

Meanwhile, Scottish beef producer JW Galloway reaped the rewards from its new plant and equipment investment despite Brexit-induced challenges over the past year, as the firm demonstrated growth in its recent results.

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