Rayburn profits dazzle amid international growth

PROFITS and sales surged at family owned wholesale business Rayburn
Trading Company, amid continued international growth.

The company, which now exports to more than 60 countries, and last year
received a Queen’s Award for achievement in international trade, said it
was “pleased” with its results for the year to August 31 2011.

Turnover rose from £77.6m to £81.5m, but profits shot up from  £561,000 to £3.8m after cutting costs, notably its wage bill by £3m.
 
The company, founded in 1948, by the late Benny Goldman and now run by his sons Michael – the managing director – Russell and Howard, said that it is wary of the impact on demand of the euro zone crisis.

Rayburn, which was originally a toiletries supplier now stocks more
than 6,000 products ranging from health and beauty to household products, gift ware, confectionery and soft drinks.

In their review of the year’s performance Rayburn’s directors say: “We are constantly aware of the problems being faced throughout Europe in these uncertain times and conscious of the effects that currency fluctuations would have on further growth in exports.

“With this in mind we continue to look to strengthen trade within the UK market.”

The company accounts show that international sales beyond the EU more than doubled to £12.8m in the period. The growth compensated for falls in the two largest territories – the UK (down from £42.6m to £41.8m) and the EU( £26.7m compared with £28.8m in 2010).