Energy, legislation and fuel costs are ongoing trading challenges, says Aspray Transport after reporting lowered pre-tax profit. Results for the year to December 31, 2005 report a drop in pre-tax profit to £446,069, from £503,218 in 2004. Gross profit also fell, to £5.06m in 2005 from £5.41m in 2004. Turnover grew by 4% in 2005, to £18.9m from £18.2m in 2004, along with operating profit which increased to £856,853 in 2005 from £725,445 in 2004.
The company's assets increased to £1.43m
in 2005 from £1.16m in 2004. The express haulage contractor, ultimately owned by Nationworld, reports a £8m infrastructure cost and the start of a five-year growth plan as its major developments in 2005. The growth plan is achievable, says the directors, but trading results are expected "to be adversely affected for up to two years".
Average monthly staff numbers rose to 431 in 2005 from 404 in 2004, while payroll costs increased to £7.93m in 2005, from £7.32m in 2004. Directors' emoluments were worth £45,242 in 2005, with no emoluments paid in 2004. A dividend of £330,000 was paid in 2005, down from £855,000 in 2004. There were no proposed dividends for the 2005 financial year.
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