TOOMEBRIDGE-based SDC Trailers, the UK and Ireland’s market-leading trailer manufacturer, had sales of £122.2 million between April and December last year, returning a bottom-line profit of £4.9 million, its latest accounts show.
The company previously reported results to a March year-end, but since being acquired by China International Marine Containers (CIMC), the largest make of containers in the world, it has switched its accounting period to a calendar year to align with its parent.
SDC, which produces around 10,000 trailer units a year, mainly for the domestic market but some for export into international markets, said it considered the results satisfactory.
Director Enda Cushnahan said: "Both the level of business and the period end financial position were considered satisfactory and the directors expect that the current level of activity will be sustained for the foreseeable future."
SDC says it remains confident it will sustain its current business levels going forward, and on the issue of Brexit he added: "We do not expect any material change to business as a result of the UK exiting the European Union, as the primary market the company serves remains the United Kingdom."
During the nine-month period the average number of people employed by the company was 659, with the overall wages bill coming in at £15.2m. The highest-paid director banked £396,000.
Last month the company spent £7 million in a 60,000 sq ft expansion at its headquarters, a move which created 50 job opportunities for trainee and experienced painters, welders, engineers and material handlers.
The investment will also dramatically improve production capability and output at SDC, which now operates one of the largest manufacturing production sites in the north.
