Kitchen furniture maker Co Antrim looks to grow after 30% profit rise to £ 12.6million

A Co Antrim kitchen and furniture maker that supplies homes, hotels and student developments has increased sales by almost 30% to £ 12.6million.

oodland Kitchens NI, which was founded in 1996, produces kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture at its 100,000 square foot factory in Rasharkin.

In 2012, he supplied the kitchen and cabinetry used in the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises.

Recent projects include the fitting out of the bedrooms and bathrooms of the Marlin Aparthotel in Waterloo in London and the Adagio Aparthotel in Edinburgh.

The chief executive of the company has vowed to stick to its rural location, as the company reported turnover of £ 12.6million, up from £ 9.8million previously, in the during the year ending at the end of February 2017.

He also noticed that the economy was returning to stability.

Pre-tax profits rose 33%, from £ 522,960 to £ 690,804, while employment also rose by over 10%, from 99 to 111.

In a strategic report accompanying the results, Woodland Kitchens said it had enjoyed a strong business performance and added that it was in a “healthy financial position” at the end of the year.

The company was founded by entrepreneur Brian McCloskey at the age of 34.

He told this newspaper: “We launched our three-year growth plan in 2016 and are delighted that the first year (has gone) as planned.

“This did not happen by accident. We have worked hard to research the market and identify the areas that present the best growth opportunities for our business.

“To this end, we have shaped our offering and strive to be the best possible supplier and add value to our customers’ businesses.

He said the company aims to carefully distribute any business risk by avoiding reliance on a single industry.

“Our location, some may consider it rural, but our workforce is committed and ambitious to deliver results in all external markets to ensure our company remains a strong employer in this community,” added Mr. McCloskey.

The strategic report also indicated that the company is looking for further expansion in the future.

“The company is committed to creating long-term shareholder value by increasing its market share in the UK kitchen and bathroom manufacturing market,” he explained.

“The economic environment continues to evolve and is returning to relative stability and certainty. Overall, over the coming year, the company aims to increase its revenues, operating profits and the number of customers it reaches.

“She will continue to develop relationships with suppliers and customers, generate new business where possible and increase retention levels while remaining competitive. ”

However, he said there were risks to the business. “The manufacturing industries in Northern Ireland, the UK and Europe are very competitive, especially in the production of furniture components, where our business is focused,” he added.

In Northern Ireland alone there are two other major manufacturers of kitchen components and furniture: door specialist O&S Holdings in Dungannon and BA Components in Cookstown. BA Components reported pre-tax profits of £ 3.4million in its latest results, while O&S Holdings reported pre-tax profits of £ 6million in 2015.

Last year, O&S Holdings, which was founded by Peter O’Donnell, was sold to US private investor Sun European Partners.

BA Kitchen Components was created by twins Brian and Kieran McCracken.