Haulage firm ARR Craib Transport Ltd recorded another strong trading period last year thanks to its specialist offering for the food and drinks sector.
The company, which is headquartered in Aberdeen and is one of the leading providers of transport and logistics in the UK, maintained a pre-tax profit of £1.8m in the financial year ending March 31, 2015.
ARR Craib, which employs over 450 staff across its sites in Aberdeen, Cumbernauld, Stockton and Great Yarmouth, was able to perform strongly because of the scale of its customer base outside of the oil and gas sector.
Fast-moving consumer goods is one of ARR Craib’s strongest customer bases with a number of high-profile food and drink companies on its books. It also has a significant client base within the construction and building industry.
Chief Operating Officer Eddie Anderson says, “Our group continues to enjoy a broad and strong customer base outwith the oil and gas market, and a number of those markets have generally been positive and growing.
“There has been particularly strong growth in the UK food and drinks sector. This is a highly competitive sector with specific skills requirements and we are pleased to note that our service offering is so positively valued by many internationally known names in the fast moving consumer goods market.
“The financial results for the year were strong, especially in the light of the significant downturn suffered in the UK oil and gas industry from late 2014. This has impacted on many of our oil and gas customers and we work closely with them as they continue to navigate the current economic environment.”
Mr Anderson adds that all customers continue to demand best value from the supply chain, and it is to be accepted there will be ongoing pressure on rates and margins in the months and years ahead.
“We are, however, confident of meeting those challenges and delivering high quality value-added services to our clients. We have maintained a course of growth that is prudent and careful, continuing our focus on safety, delivering a high-quality service, and being best in class in our chosen markets.
“Along with all other businesses that are operating within the oil and gas marketplace it is very difficult for us to accurately forecast the next 12 months. What can be said is that we enter this period of uncertainty with a strong and flexible financial base, with a first-class workforce and customer base, and with a determination both to operate ourselves at even greater levels of efficiency and to help our customers do so in their own businesses.”
Financial results lodged with Companies House also show that ARR Craib continued to focus on maintaining a safe and environmentally friendly fleet of vehicles. It invested over £2m in non-property fixed assets – the bulk of which is represented by new vehicles with low carbon emissions – to ensure the age profile of its fleet is kept very young.
There was also continuing investment in driver training and development, ensuring that its exemplary health and safety track record is maintained and that drivers are playing a role in reducing emissions and operating the fleet as efficiently as possible. A large proportion of the firm’s workforce are considered to be long-service employees with many staff members being with the firm for over 25 years.
ARR Craib also increased its footprint at its main base on the Kirkhill Industrial Estate at Dyce following the purchase of an additional building adjacent to its head office. The offices and warehousing were fully renovated and as well as being used for ARR Craib operations, some office space is available to let to third parties.
ARR Craib Transport Ltd provides transport and logistics services within the local, radial, UK and international transport markets. The company operates more than 300 vehicles and 500 trailers controlled from bases and distribution hubs in Aberdeen, Cumbernauld, Stockton and Great Yarmouth. It employs around 450 people.
Services include rail freight and rail terminal management, warehousing, material handling, facilities management and manpower provision. More information can be found at www.arr-craib.co.uk