Dawson group booms
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• Volvo truck rental specialist Dawsongroup pushed up its pre-tax profits by 48% last year, from 24.09 million in 1987 to a record .26.05 million, well ahead of its November forecast of 25.9 million. Turnover in 1988 rose 27% to £45.5 million.
The group's rental division, Dawsonrentals, increased its income by 37% and invested 222 million in new trucks and trailers, expanding its fleet by more than 40% to 2,000 units.
The commercial vehicle division increased its profits from 21.29 million to .21.77 million. In 1988 Dawsonfreight Commercials accounted for around 11% of all new Volvo truck registrations, selling more than any other Volvo distributor in the UK.
Plans for 1989 include a £30 million capital expenditure and fleet replacement programme.
Group finance director Clive Gear says: "We plan to spend 230 million on contract hire and short-term hire, but whether we do so depends on the numbers of orders received."
There are also plans to widen the group's rental network and three new depots have already been opened this year, bringing the total up to 31. Gear says two new sites are under negotiation and by the mid-1990s Dawsongroup plans to have 39 depots.