The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dundee glass panel maker sees sales rise
MANUFACTURING: Parent group has had a presence in city since being incorporated in 1894
A Dundee manufacturer of insulated glass panel units saw sales increase over the past year.
Ravensby Glass, a subsidiary of historic Dundee group Malcolm, Ogilvie & Company Limited (MOCL), generated turnover of £14.33 million in the year to October 31 2016.
The figure represents an uplift of more than £2.2m on the prior year when the firm, which operates out of two manufacturing bases at West Pitkerro Industrial Estate in Dundee, booked sales of £12.09m.
New filings at Companies House attribute the rise to successful efforts to “promote sales further afield”, an increased product range aimed at the construction sector and the development of operations at the group’s second factory, which opened following a £6m investment in 2014.
However, costs increased from £8m to £10.2m in the year and pre-tax profits slipped from £858,180 to £294,487.
The wider MOCL group accounts show a pre-tax profit for the year of £625,112, down from £805,378 in 2015.
Operating profits fell by around £200,000 in the year.
“The reduced operating profit was attributable to administrative expenses coupled to tighter margins and contingencies,” group chairman Nicholas Cunningham explained in his strategic report to the MOCL accounts.
He said the financial return for the year was “acceptable” and the company was optimistic of prospects within its core building and construction market.
“The directors remain confident that future growth opportunities exist for its glass products and they will advance to focus on that sector of opportunity for the foreseeable future,” he said.
“Despite the past costs incurred in the closure of previous areas of activity in discontinued divisions, they believe the group is well enough placed financially, and in terms of the strength of its management team, to maintain its underlying performance and build upon it.
“Accordingly, the greater volume capability arising from the second glass processing factory continues to be perceived as paramount to the company’s ongoing prospects.”