Orders at Wiltshire manufacturer rise by 36 per cent

Wiltshire manufacturer Avon Protection said orders in the first quarter of the financial year were up 36 per cent.

The firm, which makes gas masks and safety wear, published a trading update for the first quarter of the year.

Order intake for the first quarter was 36% higher than the prior year, reflecting strong demand for helmets and rebreathers, following the recently announced contract from the German Navy, partially offset by a modest decline in respirator orders.

The order book was 21% higher than the prior year. Year-on-year revenue growth of 27% was in line with our expectations, reflecting continued successful delivery of NG IHPS helmets to the US.DOD and robust demand for pads and commercial helmets.

The company said its transformation programme is progressing in line with its plans.

In December 2023 the company announced plans to close a factory Irvine, California facility by Summer 2025.

The trading performance in the first quarter, and the progress made to date on transformation, support full year expectations of high single-digit revenue growth and solid progression in adjusted operating margin in the second half.

Chief executive Jos Sclater said: “After a year of strengthening the business, we are now focused on our objectives of creating a competitive advantage through superior execution, growing faster than our markets by delivering new and improved products to our customers, and increasing margins through our transformation programme.

“While there remain a number of opportunities and risks for us to navigate in the year ahead, I am pleased to see the results start to reflect the strategic and operational progress we are making. We remain focused on the actions required to deliver our medium-term objectives.”