Record year for lubricants maker RS Clare
RS CLARE, one of Liverpool’s oldest companies, saw increasing exports again boost its annual results as earnings rose to a record £2.7m.
The 265-year-old manufacturer, which makes lubricants and coatings used in the transport industry, has successfully targeted fast-growing markets in the Far East, including China, as the domestic market has become more challenging. It now has contracts with a number of international energy companies.
The family-owned company, chaired by Ian Meadows, the new High Sheriff of Merseyside, grew its 2012 exports by 13.5% to £8.4m as turnover rose 5% from £23m to £24.2m.
Bottom-line profits were up 9%, from £1.9m to £2.1m.
Mr Meadows said investments in the company’s road marking subsidiary Wilson & Scott (Highways) and further traction in export markets set the company in good shape for this year.
“The boards of both companies are positive for the year ahead. Wilson & Scott’s well-established market posotion, together with an improving global market for Clare’s Bimagrip in several new areas, and its reputation as a supplier of cost-effective speciality greases, will enable further progress to be made in 2013.
“Recent capital investment in road marking material production and application equipment will serve to keep group companies at the forefront of the markets we serve.”
Based on Stanhope Street in Liverpool, RS Clare has around 140 employees. The business was founded in Liverpool in 1748 by Richard S Clare and its origins the were in distillation of turpentine to make varnish, grease and oils.
