Buoyant Pebble Group mindful of potential impact Trump’s tarrif war could wreak
US President Donald Trump’s ongoing tarrif war with the rest of the world is a concern for Pebble Group, the Trafford Park-based corporate promotions specialist.
The business comprises the Facilisgroup and Brand Addition arms and counts the US as a key trading partner.
It announced annual results for the year to December 31, 2024, today, which showed improved turnover and profit levels, in line with expectations.
But chief executive, Chris Lee, warned: “The board is closely monitoring the possible effects that tariffs may have on the wider economy and on our businesses. However this evolves, we remain confident in the group’s platform and proposition.”
Annual revenues rose from £124.2m to £125.3m and pre-tax profits jumped by 9.5% to £8.1m. Cash rose from £15.9m to £16.5m.
The board has recommended a 54.2% improvement in the dividend, to 1.85p per share.
The group also said its current £5m share buyback programme is expected to continue – to date, £2.7m has been executed.
At Facilisgroup it predicted that a step-change reduction in capitalised development costs into new product during the second half of 2024 will have a full year benefit in 2025, while at Brand Addition, several new contract wins in late 2024 and early 2025 are expected to make an impact on revenues in financial year 2025.
Regarding current trading, operating cash conversion increased in 2024 and is expected to continue to improve.
For 2025, the group has chosen to spend an element of this improving cash conversion to support new business momentum and accelerate organic revenue growth for 2026 and beyond.
Chris Lee said: “We are pleased to report that the group’s FY24 results are in line with expectations. Our operational focus in 2024 was on strengthening our businesses to accelerate organic growth.
“At Facilisgroup, we spent a significant amount of time engaging with stakeholders including partners, preferred suppliers, investors and our team. This engagement generated valuable feedback and contributed to several important advancements in 2024, which has helped position the business for future growth.
“At Brand Addition, whilst improving our contract win count in late 2024, we have delivered growth across all major financial metrics driven by gross margin improvement and disciplined cost management.”
He added: “The cash generative qualities of the group are strong and are expected to continue to improve as the period of high, expansionary capex is completed.
“In 2025, we will allocate a portion of this improving cash conversion to support accelerated organic revenue growth for 2026 and beyond.
“Notwithstanding the possible effects that tariffs may have on the wider economy and on our businesses, we remain confident in the group’s platform and proposition to deliver long term sustainable earnings growth and create shareholder value.”
