British parcels carrier APC Overnight has announced a record growth of 20% in gross profitdespite continuing economic problems in the UK.
The UK’s largest next day parcel network reported profit on ordinary activities before taxationof £2.015 million (€2.39 million), compared to £0.307 million (€0.36 million) in 2009. It didnot disclose revenues or volumes.
APC said this performance reflected the outstanding sales of the network combined with improvedworking practices and efficiencies at the APC Overnight headquarters, hubs and depots.
Ivor Skinner, Managing Director of APC Overnight, said: “These are challenging times for allbusinesses, but we have experienced exceptional growth over the last 12 months. Everyone has workedhard to drive down costs throughout the business. For example, our administration bill has beenreduced by more than 10% due to efficiency improvements. This goes to show that reducing costs cannot only improve the bottom line, it can result in more business as we have seen throughout theperiod.”
The company has also further expanded its services with depots extending their operations,warehousing and moving to larger sites.
“We achieved record levels of consignments through the network over the last 12 months. We aregrowing in strength and are now preparing for a busy Christmas period. Our network of depots is setto provide exceptional service to their customers,” Skinner stated.
In addition, APC plans further investment in the organisation, particularly in IT and globalservice expansion.
“Our main focus for IT will be the implementation of enterprise-wide systems that are scalable.This will allow us to introduce more innovative technology to meet the needs of our customers. Inaddition to continuing to improve and maintain the quality of our UK-wide services, we have plansto take APC Overnight services worldwide with our own APC International Service. Our primary focuswill be road and rail partnerships with complementary European network operators,” he added.
In addition to its regular next-day delivery services, APC Overnight ships rehabilitation andphysiotherapy products throughout the UK for Physio-Med Services.
The Derbyshire-based firm stocks 8,000 product lines, ships over 150,000 items a year, and isthe largest supplier of “rehab” and “physio” products to the NHS.
Ranging from consumable products such as tapes, dressings and bandages through to sophisticatedelectrotherapy equipment, Physio-Med Services offers immediate availability and next working daydelivery of 95% of orders received by 1 pm.
