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Wincanton has warned of "difficult market conditions in certain areas" and "uncertain economic conditions" in its interim management statement.

But the company also says that "new contract gains and cost reductions are substantially offsetting the effect of volume decline in certain parts of the group's businesses".

This year, Wincanton has been working on reducing its cost base, having been faced with falling demand since  the start of the recession.

In June, the UK's second largest logistics firm set out a plan to freeze staff pay. It also announced around 800 job losses due to the closure of two chilled depots.

In November 2008, the company expanded its investment in container haulage with the acquisition of Woodbridge, Suffolk firm CEL Group, having already bought another container firm, Hanbury Davies, earlier in the year. Meanwhile, in October last year, Wincanton launched a project to set up consolidation centres across  the UK for construction companies.

In this week's interim statement, the firm hinted that, given the severe downturn in both construction and global trade last year, these sectors were now picking up.

"In the UK and Ireland, new business momentum remains strong, both in traditional markets and in newer sectors and services, including some of those affected by volume weakness in the second half of last year," the statement says.

Overall, Wincanton says that it has made "a solid performance in challenging markets".