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Hanbury Davies is aggressively targeting growth through acquisitions, managing director Ian Wilson confirms.

"The transport industry is going to continue to polarise. I definitely think there are companies that will look to be acquired. We have a good record of taking over business," he says, adding that the container haulage firm is "constantly appraising opportunities to acquire".

He predicts tough times ahead for the haulage industry,  adding that some could feel the pinch of rising interest rates, while others could fall foul of rapid expansion.

"In the next 12 to 24 months there is going to be some pain," he says.

"When some of these companies in our sector try to grow rapidly they will see big issues with profitability and service. We're trying to develop consistently - we have to be sensible."

Pre-tax profit for Hanbury Davies has risen by 10% to £2.6m in the year to March 2007, from £2.4m in 2006. Operating profit was stable at £2.8m and margins are at 4.75%, but Wilson adds: "I'd like to see that improve."

Turnover for the company slipped to £52m in 2007 from £52.5m in 2006. Wilson explains that Hanbury Davies has "made no secret" that it chases profit rather than volume, revealing that it has shed some non-profitable business.

"We're looking at the business and took some tough decisions in terms of customers - in 2007 that's one of the key areas going forward," he  says.

"A couple of our accounts were not making sufficient results and the outlook wasn't looking good."

The firm is looking at ways to improve fuel performance including speed restrictions on vehicles and bonuses for drivers showing fuel efficiency.

It is adding another 25 Scania vehicles to its fleet in early 2008, after taking 25 in 2006 - "the first in four years" - and 75 this year.