Scottish Harbro plans expansion after profitable year

Scottish animal feed manufacturer, the Harbro Group, is forging ahead with expansion plans following a rise in turnover and profitability.

The Aberdeenshire-based company, which manufactures animal feed at several cites in Scotland and operates 11 Country Stores, boosted turnover in the year to 30 June, 2009, by GBP3 million (US$4.5 million) to GBP65 million (US$97 million) and saw pre-tax profits rise by GBP359,000 (US$535,000) to GBP1.2 million (US$1.8 million).

"Our market share increased and all companies across the group showed strong performance," said managing director Graham Baxter. "The retail division of Harbro Country Stores continued to perform well."

Group companies include Harbro, feedmobile operators Feedmix and supplement manufacturers Strathclyde Nutrition.

"Attention to cash flows and the reduced bank base rate had a positive effect on the performance of the business," said Baxter. "The increase in profitability was almost fully attributable to a reduction in interest paid. It is now the prime target of all group companies to reduce overall borrowing levels over the next three years."

Nonetheless, the company is planning further expansion in the south-west of Scotland, where it has established a strong presence following the opening of the Birkhill feed plant three years ago, representing an investment of GBP7 million.

New sites are being sought to expand the company''s retail division, which specialises in animal health, equine, country wear and pet products. The group will benefit this year from the opening of larger stores at Stirling and Fort William.

Financial performance in the first eight months of the current financial year is ahead of expectations and Baxter is bullish about future prospects.

Although dairying is continuing to suffer from low milk prices, the pig, poultry and beef sectors are enjoying improved returns. "The world has a pent-up demand for meat and dairy products and the UK is not self-sufficient in food production," Baxter said.

"The best-performing livestock units in the future will be those that adopt systems based on a technical approach delivering the best performance by the animals and the required product quality for retailers and consumers," he said. "This is the area where we consider that Harbro and associated group companies have much to offer and we will continue to base the future growth of the group in delivering products based on the highest technical standards."