ARR Craib Transport Ltd Looks To The Future As Financial Results Exceed Expectations
Aberdeen-based haulage specialists ARR Craib Transport Ltd increased its turnover by almost 10% in the last financial, despite increasingly difficult trading conditions for the transport sector. The company, based at Dyce on the outskirts of the city, achieved a turnover of £42.8 million in the year to March 2013.
In an effort to drive further growth, ARR Craib Transport has announced changes to the structure of its board of directors, with a group board taking responsibility for strategic development and an operational board overseeing the day-to-day running of the company.
During the last financial year, the company was able to increase its pre-tax profit from £1.36 million to £1.42million, and this is largely attributed to an ongoing programme of efficiencies. A major element of this is a specialist programme to reduce ARR Craib’s fuel consumption and carbon footprint – an initiative which helped the company secure the Green Award at the Northern Star Business Awards last month.
The annual accounts also show that ARR Craib has invested £3.7 million in new trucks, trailers and IT development; the benefits of which will be seen in the coming years. The number of staff employed by the company across its operations in Aberdeen, Cumbernauld and Eaglescliffe in the north of England increased from 350 to 400.
Eddie Anderson, who takes on the role of chief executive officer in the restructured board, says, “Transport services nationwide have faced a difficult year with sporadic and unpredictable activity across the board, largely due to further escalation in the price of diesel and general stagnation in the Scottish and UK market.
“ARR Craib has somewhat bucked the trend thanks in part to its geographical location and oil service sector contracts, which continues to be the strongest performing sector for the haulage firm. Our market share has increased in this sector through improved alliances and relationships.”
There was also success for the company’s pallet and national distribution operations through Palletline, with increased volume and sales. It is likely that this service will be further expanded with an additional base due to be launched in the north of England within the next financial year.
There are two new additions to the operational board. Bob Donald, who has worked for the firm for 21 years, has been promoted from workshop manager to fleet director while Steve Anderson is promoted to oil services director.
Mr Anderson adds, “It is important for us to always be looking forward towards the next goal, and we felt it was important to distinguish between strategic and operational board level. The new structure will enable us to take full advantage of growth opportunities and deal efficiently with challenges that arise.
“We have invested heavily this year, and while we are pleased with the results that this has produced to date, we realise that the return on the investment will come in the years to follow. This is an exciting time for the company, and I feel satisfied that the foundations are in place to push ARR Craib Transport to the next level.”
ARR Craib Transport Ltd provides transport and logistics services within the local, radial, UK and International transport markets. The company operates more than 250 vehicles and 500 trailers controlled from bases and distribution hubs at Aberdeen, Cumbernauld, and Eaglescliffe, and employs around 400 people. Services include rail freight and rail terminal management, warehousing, material handling, facilities management and manpower provision. More information can be found at http://www.arr-craib.co.uk
