Staffordshire courier firm APC beats the slump as profits soar to £4m
A flourishing courier firm in Staffordshire was today hailed as an example to other businesses after bosses revealed a huge surge in profits.
APC Overnight this week announced pre-tax profits of £4.42 million in 2011/12, a rise of 30.4 per cent on the previous year. Turnover was up by 13.5 per cent to £65.76m. Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce spokesman John Lamb said the results were a boost for the Midlands and softened the blow of job losses at other firms.
Just yesterday, the owner of Hovis announced it was axing 500 jobs in the West Midlands under plans to close two bakeries.
Many of the posts cut by Premier Foods will be in Birmingham.
Mr Lamb said today: "APC's results are fantastic news, and very welcome on a day we had job losses in our region with the Premier Foods announcement. It is encouraging to see the firm doing so well.
"Obviously APC is working very hard to keep their business and develop it as well. It is absolutely critical companies are able to do that, for the success of the firm but also for the people they employ."
It comes as bosses prepare to transfer operations to a 150,000 sq ft unit at Kingswood Lakeside Business Park in Cannock early next year. The new £15m facility will double capacity and is creating 300 jobs, more than doubling the company's 250-strong workforce.
The specialist distribution hub in Cannock is being built on a 12-acre plot and is due to open in spring 2013. Workers will begin transferring from APC's base in Warstone Road, Essington, early next year.
Chief executive Syed Ziallah, announcing the 2011/12 figures, said: "These results really are a reflection of the huge surge in customer demand seen right across the business during the last financial year.
"Many of our local member depots have expanded their operations to keep up with growing demand."
