Stobart Group Limited
22 January 2008
Stobart Group Limited
('Stobart' or 'the Group')
Trading Update
Stobart (formerly the Westbury Property Fund Limited), a leading provider of
inter-modal logistics solutions, is pleased to provide an update on trading
following the first twelve months of it current fourteen month accounting period
which ends on 28 February 2008. The Group's year end was changed from 31
December to 28 February in line with the current practice of Eddie Stobart
Limited ('Eddie Stobart'), the Group's largest wholly-owned trading subsidiary.
Eddie Stobart has grown strongly in each of the last three financial years and
continues to trade well with new business wins and profitability growing in line
with our expectations for the current year and beyond. Synergies have already
been identified with the other Group businesses, in particular the container
transport operation of the O'Connor Group. The Group's contracts protect it
from rising fuel prices and despite fears over a downturn in consumer confidence
Eddie Stobart continues to grow and considers that its differentiated operating
model will allow continued future growth even in the event of an economic
slowdown.
Whilst the majority of the Group's investment property portfolio was disposed of
at the time of the acquisition of Eddie Stobart the Group remains interested in
a small number of investment properties. In line with the current climate in
the commercial property sector the value of these interests is expected to show
significant deterioration by the end of the current financial period.
Stobart has exchanged contracts to acquire a further 47 acres of land adjacent
to its large site in Widnes, allowing the development of between 2.0 million to
2.4 million square feet of warehousing. Planning permission was secured in
December for the first 1.2 million square feet of warehousing and the site will
be developed in response to our existing and future customer's requirements.
Andrew Tinkler, Chief Executive of Stobart Group, said: 'This has been a period
of significant change for the Group, successfully repositioning ourselves as a
leading provider of inter-modal logistics solutions. Over the period we have
been encouraged by the underlying performance in the core businesses of Eddie
Stobart and O'Connor Group.
'We are now engaged in ensuring that all elements of the Group are focussed on
delivering our goal of sustained, manageable growth and enhancing shareholder
value.'
Stobart Group will be announcing its preliminary results on 6 May 2008.
Stobart Group is today hosting a visit for analysts at its operation at the
Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal. No material new information will
be disclosed.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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