A-Plant generates more profit

WARRINGTON-based plant hire firm A-Plant saw its operating profits increase by 50% to £2.7m in the year to March 31 as sales increased by 1% to £165.8m.

The figures were revealed asw part of parent company Ashstead Plant’s full-year results. It announced an overall increase in sales of 11% to £948.5m during the year thanks to a more buoyant sales performance from its US-based Sunbelt plant hire business, but its overall pre-tax profits fgell back by 67% to £1.7m.

The group’s chief executive, Geoff Drabble, said that A-Plant’s performance had improved during the second half of the year allowing it to deliver improved profits.
“Looking forward we remain cautious over the outlook for end construction markets in the short term, particularly in the UK,” he said.

“However, we continue to benefit from the structural shift to rental, market share gains and the improvements we have established in all key areas of our business.”
The firm said that the average level of its fleet on hire grew by 2% during the year, although the yields achieved on this fell by 1%.