Evans boosts profits

Evans Transport, the Devon-based warehousing and distribution company, made a pre-tax profit of £228,000 last year on a £10.6m turnover.

During the financial year ending 31 March 2006 the family-owned-and-run business boosted its profit margins from 1.8% to 2.2%. The company also cut its workforce from 117 to 109, reducing its wage bill by £35,000 to £2.3m.

Parent company ET Holdings is also controlled by the Evans family. Evans Transport conducted a lot of business with fellow group member Tipton Transport, including £346,000 sales to Tipton and £219,000 purchases from it.

In the same period Tipton Transport's turnover fell from £2.8m to £2.7m but pre-tax profits rose from £25,000 to £71,000 - representing a 2.7% profit margin.