News

The latest results for the road haulage contractor show pre-tax profits hitting £418,592 for the year to December 31, 2005, a 55% jump from the £270,964 in 2004. This is after the company's 2004 results showed profits to dip by more than 80% and turnover to shrink by 60%. Turnover has continued to dip in 2005 to £3.20m from £3.81m in 2004, although for ultimate parent company The Bartrum Group, turnover has grown to £17.3m in 2005 from £16.4m in 2004. The Bartrum Group includes a warehousing and  commercial vehicles maintenance business.

But Bartrums Road Services has increased its gross profit, to £452,320 in 2005 from £399,651 in 2004. Operating profit has also climbed, to £323,466 in 2005 from £135,223 in 2004. Total assets less current liabilities for the Suffolk-based company have increased to £5.07m in 2005 from £4.93m in 2004. The report states that "the directors are satisfied with the results for the year and the company's financial position at the year end".

Employee pay roll costs have dipped to £986,207 in 2005 from £1.67m in 2004, with average staff numbers falling to 45 in 2005 from 59 in 2004. Directors' pay has also been slashed, with emoluments falling to £13,032 in 2005 from £103,198 in 2004. Equity dividends on ordinary shares paid during the year were worth £138,600 in 2005, a drop from £2.22m in 2004.