by Tom Walsh
Popular new products have pushed Swift Group’s profits higher in spite of a slight dip in sales, according to reports files at Companies House.
In the 12 months running up to 31 August 2013, the UK’s biggest manufacturer of caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes achieved pre-tax profits totalling £8 million, an impressive rise from the £5.4 million accumulated in the previous year.
Insider Media reports that according to the data filed at Companies House, sales actually fell over the same period from £189.3m to £186.4m as adverse weather conditions put many potential customers off investing in new models.
Although the weather did improve later on in the year, by then much of the damage had been done and it was another tough period in terms of sales overall.
This year is already looking more positive with good performances at recent shows and the launch of the new Swift Elegance and Sterling Continental, but a spokesman told the source that the weather is still causing problems.
Distribution of newly-purchased models has been difficult in recent weeks, he said, thanks to widespread flooding in the south-west of England in particular.
