NRL Group defies downturn as sales and profits rise

TECHNICAL recruitment specialist NRL Group has posted strong half-year profits and forecasts continued growth for the full year.

The privately-owned Cumbria-based firm, which was set up 25 years ago as a testing business at Sellafield and then expanded into recruitment, employs 75 people at its head office in Cockermouth and at five branches in the North.

Defying tough market conditions the company, which also provides accounting and other services for contractors, boosted turnover by  13% to £37.9m in the six months to the end of June.
Gross profits rose £200,000 to £3.3m.

Managing director Mike Barber, told TheBusinessDesk that NRL’s turnover should hit £80m in the full year.

He said the strong performance was based on having loyal clients and loyal staff.
“Despite difficult trading conditions, the group has performed exceptionally well, bucking the downward trend seen by the majority of recruitment businesses.

“The NRL Group has continued to invest for the future with significant e-commerce and infrastructure-related investments during the period.

“Profit margins are down slightly (by 0.5%), but given the prevailing market conditions and our continuous investment strategy we are particularly pleased with these very positive half-year results.”

He said the nuclear, rail and gas pipeline-focused sectors had been resilient amid a difficult time for many parts of industry and construction.

“Our exposure to the construction sector is limited to projects involved in schools and hospitals, so we have limited exposure to commercial property and no exposure to residential property.”

NRL Group is owned by brothers Andrew and Hugh Redmayne. Its branch offices are in Wigan, Egremont near Sellafield, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Falkirk in Scotland.