Manufacturing efficiencies contribute to strong results for Dairy Crest

Announcing the group’s results for the year ended 31 March, chief executive Mark Allen said: "We have delivered a strong set of financial results. These have benefited from the strategic moves made over the last 18 months. Most of our key brands in the UK and France, including Cathedral City, Country Life Spreadable, Utterly Butterly, St Hubert Omega 3, Petits Filous and Frubes have increased market share with double-digit sales growth. In addition Clover is on track to recover strongly this year. In our Dairies division we have made progress and improved manufacturing efficiencies. “We continue to actively manage our margins. We have implemented price increases and reduced our cost base to offset inflationary pressure on milk and commodities. Trading at the start of the year is in line with expectations and we remain confident that our business is well placed to meet the challenges of the year ahead." Revenue for the period was up 20% to £1.57 billion (£1.31bn) while pre-tax profit edged ahead two per cent to £66 million (£64.6m). In its dairy operations, the company said it had reduced unit-operating costs and improved manufacturing efficiencies through the closure of the Totnes dairy in September 2007.