Macfarlane Group predicts bright future

MACFARLANE Group said group sales growth of 3% reflected “subdued market conditions” in its AGM statement covering 2016 to date.

The Glasgow-based firm said it was confident of meeting expectations for the year and making “further good progress”.

Graeme Bissett, Chairman of Macfarlane, said, “Our Group sales in the year to date have grown by 3%, reflecting subdued market conditions more than offset by the benefit of acquired business. From this base and recognising the influence of the ecommerce sector in the second half of the year, the Board is confident that Macfarlane Group will perform in line with its expectations for 2016.

“Our larger business, Packaging Distribution, has achieved sales growth of 4% compared to 2015 reflecting the benefit of prior year acquisition activity and we are delighted with the recently announced acquisitions of Colton Packaging Teesside and Edward McNeil in Glasgow. The investment in the new Macfarlane Innovation Lab has been very well received by our customers, which should help accelerate a strong new business pipeline in the remainder of 2016.”

Macfarlane revealed sales in the group’s manufacturing operations are running 3% below the same period in 2015. “This is due to our ongoing focus on value added products and services, combined with softer demand in certain of the market sectors served by our packaging design and manufacture business,” Mr Bissett added.