An Angus-based company which provides bespoke automation systems saw turnover increase by almost 17% as it ended 2019 with a record order book.
AGR Automation, designs and manufactures high performance bespoke automation solutions operating from its headquarters in Arbroath’s Elliot Industrial Estate, as well as from sites in Ballymena, Northern Ireland and Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.
The firm’s primary capabilities lie in automating demanding assembly processes – a capability where the company has developed world leading expertise.
Some 75% of AGR’s business activity is in the development of one-off machinery for the manufacture of high precision medical devices such as disposable needlesets for diabetes care, surgical equipment, such as stent catheters and leading-edge blood testing devices.
The company is currently working with a global company which has just received FDA and European approval for a new COVID-19 blood test.
AGR is also active in the personal grooming manufacturing industry and has secured new contracts with clients in other manufacturing sectors.
Newly published accounts at Companies House show revenue increased to £16.6 million for the year ending December 31, 2019, up from £14.2m in 2018.
Pre-tax profits jumped from £1.1m in 2018, to £2.5m in last year.
The company is also investing heavily in its facilities, with a substantial extension to its Arbroath headquarters nearing completion, along with work at its factory premises in Ballymena totalling around £3m.
A spokesperson for the group said: “AGR has continued to be blessed with profitable growth achieved through risk-related innovation projects but we are aware that we are only as good as our last project.
“We take nothing for granted and we are grateful to God for every opportunity”.
The majority of AGR’s turnover is generated abroad, with £6.3m in Europe, £6.8m across the rest of the world and £3.4m in the UK.
Across the group, the average monthly number of employees rose from 137 in 2018, to 142 last year, with 71 employed in administrative roles, 69 working in manufacturing positions and two directors.
The bill for salaries and associated costs came to £5.4m last year, an increase of more than 8.6% against 2018.
The company, founded more than half a century ago, remains in private owhership.