Profits rise to £5.7m at Forfar textiles company Don & Low

Confident it will meet its targets this year

Forfar-based textile group Don & Low increased its profits last year despite “challenging” trading conditions.

The company, which manufactures and markets polypropylene textiles from a factory in Glamis Road in the Angus town, has a history dating back to 1792.

The latest accounts show that the company’s pre-tax profit increased from £5.3 million to £5.7m in the year ending December 31 2016.

Revenue was flat at £59.8m.

Don & Low employs 463 people, having taken on an additional five staff during the year.

The company produces carpet backing, geotextiles, yarns and construction fabrics.

Director Colin Johnson said the directors considered the year’s results to be a good performance.

He said: “Trading conditions during the year were generally challenging within the group’s markets and in relation to volatility of key external factors.”

He added: “Throughout the year, the group maintained a strong focus on safety, quality, customer service and continuous improvement initiatives.”

The company’s risks include the cost of raw materials increasing as well as its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency.

Mr Johnson predicted that the challenging conditions would continue this year.

“The directors expect to be faced with continued economic and market challenges during 2017,” he said.

“The plans, policies and procedures that are in place, however, mean that the directors are confident that the group’s budgeted performance will be achieved.”

In 1999 Don & Low was acquired by Thrace Plastics, part of the Greek-based Thrace Group, which has 20 companies worldwide.

Picture: Kim Cessford. The Don & Low factory in Forfar.