Record turnover and a big increase in profits have been reported by the Arnold Laver Group.
The Yorkshire-based company, which is headquartered in Sheffield, said turnover rose to 11% to £88m and profits before tax increased 28% to £2.8m in its results to June 2004.
Managing director Andrew Laver said: “The group’s profit has benefited over the year from growth in all its divisions. We are delighted with the progress we have made, particularly in the timber sector where the Manchester depot and the new national production centre at Sheffield drove timber sales up 10%.”
As well as achieving Forest Stewardship Council accreditation, the company won a seven-year £27m Sheffield Homes door contract in association with JELD-WEN and expanded its Timber World network through the acquisition of FJ Reeves in the north-east. FJ Reeves’ South Shields business will benefit from a new seven-acre site currently being acquired for the depot.
Mr Laver maintains that the company will not be resting on its laurels and that it is pushing ahead with further investment in equipment and staff.
The UK’s first 12in quick-set moulder has been purchased at a cost of £200,000 at the Bradford depot where a new sales, stock and transport software package is also being installed.
And the group’s commitment to staff training is boosted by three levels of bespoke programmes covering 200 front-line staff.
