Revenues at chain manufacturer pass £200m mark

Manufacturer Renold has announced its operating profits rose to £16.2m last year.

The chain manufacturer and transmission specialist, which is based in Manchester, said revenues rose to £202m.

Adjusted operating profit was up by 15.5% to £16.4m, the highest adjusted operating profit for more than 15 years.

The firm has now completed the relocation of the Chinese chain manufacturing facility.

And its move onto AIM to support its acquisition strategy is on schedule following shareholder approval.

Robert Purcell, chief executive of Renold, said: “The chain division has delivered encouraging organic growth as well as improved operational efficiency, increasing adjusted operating profit to record levels.

“The continued successful execution of the strategic plan has enabled margin improvement to be delivered in spite of labour cost inflation and the significant relocation of our Chinese factory, which will take time to ramp up to targeted output and productivity levels.

“We are mindful of these factors entering the new year, but remain confident that our strategic initiatives provide us with a clear pathway to further future progress.”

He added: “Whilst not immediately visible in the trading performance in the year to March 2019, the operational improvements in torque transmission, along with additional revenue from the couplings long-term contract in the year ahead provide a platform for further organic growth and margin improvement.

“Our strategy has delivered strong results and is the optimum approach to creating and maintaining a higher quality, higher margin business.

“Robust order books provide the basis for continued improvement in the new financial year. We see significant opportunity to build on the platform established, both through ongoing organic growth initiatives and through an effective acquisition strategy, the execution of which will be simplified by the move to AIM.

“Delivering sustainable growth through these initiatives, when combined with the benefits of further operational efficiency, continues to support the expectation that mid-teens operating margins can be delivered over time.”