21ST CENTURY LOGISTICS, the operating arm of Kent family firm
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The Dodd's Group, stayed in the black by the skin of its teeth last year after the loss of a contract with Britvic.
Pre-tax profits fell £187,000 to £36,000 for the year ending 30 September 2006 as turnover slipped £2.3m to £17.2m.
This represents an operating margin of just 0.2% — down from 1,1% the year before.
Dodd's MD David Pink says pre-tax profit was hit by the Britvic loss in March 2006, rather than by fuel costs or foreign competition.
"Business isn't good," Pink admits. "There's no return in
general haulage. But were in a strong position financially to move forwards if something attractive comes along, whether that's an acquisition or terms of business."
Staff numbers during the period fell by 38 to 264, 35 of these worked within haulage.
21st Century Logistics incorporates Syms of Caine, Parker Haulage and Hammonds Distribution, which were brought into the group to operate under one banner. Its website says: "Further expansion in collaboration with Palletforce has enabled us to offer additional overnight pallet distribution services to our customers."