Angus based blind manufacturer Stevens have unveiled a positive year against a backdrop of challenging trading conditions.
The firm, based in Brechin, saw a pre-tax profit of £1.01 million, a slight drop from £1.05 in 2017.
Turnover for the year was £8.45m against £8.62m in 2017.
The company, continues to be a significant employer in the area, with 118 staff engaged across manufacture, distribution, and administration.
A spokesperson for the firm said: “We are delighted that we have achieved another successful year despite the continued challenging economic climate.
“In 2018 the Company invested in excess of £50k in new production machinery and carried out several reviews to improve manufacturing processes.
“We are indebted to our staff for their hard work and flexibility over the past 12 months, and for their contribution to the continued growth and success of our company.”
In his report, managing director Gavin Gray said: “The company continues to be subject to competitive pressures in terms of product development, price, delivery and service.
“Investing in capital equipment and IT infrastructure is now and will continue to be critical to the future success of the business.”
“Despite continuing uncertainty in political and economic factors, which have given rise to reduced consumer confidence in the UK, it is expected that profitability will remain steady.”
The company provides a broad product range of internal window blinds, including battery operated systems, and operates from a 66,000 square foot complex.
The core part of the business is the Stevens trade division, which now supplies over 1000 independent blind companies throughout the UK
Stevens became a subsidiary undertaking of Hunter Douglas (UK) Ltd in October 2015 in a multi-million pound deal.
The ultimate parent company Hunter Douglas NV is domiciled in the Netherlands and incorporated in the Netherlands Antilles.
Stevens was founded in 1968 and was controlled by director Pamela Stevens and her son Gordon.
jimillar@thecourier.co.uk