The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Pallet firm’ s profits are stacking up
Fife company Scott Timber saw pre-profits soar by more than 30% as it toasted a “strong performance” across the group’s pallet businesses.
The firm, which has its headquarters at Halbeath Interchange Business Park in Dunfermline, produces 16.5 million pallets each year.
Scott Timber also has annual kiln capacity for 5.6 million ISPM15, heat-treated export pallets and last year diverted 22,000 tonnes of timber from landfill through is pallet recovery and reuse service.
Newly filed accounts for the firm show turnover grew from £108 million in 2018, to £118m for the year ending December 31 2019 – an increase of 8.3%.
Pre-tax profits at Scott Timber leapt by 30.1% over the period from £7.1m to £9.2m.
In the firm’s annual report, group operations director Norman Scott said: “The occurrence of the global outbreak of Covid-19 subsequent to the year-end has resulted in an elevated level of uncertainty within the UK economy.
“Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the company has continued to operate throughout to support our customers working in key sectors such as food and pharmaceutical distribution.
“The directors believe the company remains in a strong position to continue to provide a first-class service to its customer base.”
Mr Scott added the modern manufacturing facilities and systems would ensure the business is well placed to capitalise on future growth opportunities.
Over the reporting period, staff numbers grew by eight to 637, with 84 employees working in administrative roles, 545 engaged in production and eight in management.
Wages and associated costs came to £19.7m.
The ultimate parent company of Scott Timber is Scott Group Investments.
Separately filed accounts for Scott Group Investments show an increase in turnover from £174.5m in 2018 to £176.3m for the year ending December 31 2019.
Pre-tax profits grew from £7.8m, to £10.5m over the period.
Director Norman Scott said the pandemic and lockdown had a “dramatic impact” on the group’s pallet businesses.
Some individual sites experienced a drop off in activity levels to around 45% of what would be considered normal.
He said: “This will have a significant impact on group turnover in 2020.”
Mr Scott also pointed to the acquisition of Luton-based Direct Pallets.
He said: “This business is an important addition to the reconditioned pallet business unit, providing a strategically important additional location and an enhanced offering to the growing number of customers looking to benefit from our pallet recovery service.”