Arrow ECS smashes 2009 performance

Distributor posts fourfold increase in full-year net income

Arrow ECS has rounded off its financial year in style by announcing a fourfold year-on-year increase in net profit.

The distribution giant's full-year results show that Arrow's net profit rose from $123.5m (£76m) in 2009 to $479.6m last year, as sales rose by $4bn to $18.74bn.

A third of Arrow's full-year net profit was generated during its final quarter, which peaked at $157.9m on the back of sales worth $5.24bn.

Michael Long, chief executive of Arrow, hailed the firm's revenue and profit as record breaking.

He said: "We finished 2010 with a very strong close, reporting record revenue and earnings per share and extremely strong cashflow generation in a period of substantial growth.

"Our organic strategy is simple – gain profitable market share, optimise gross profit and increase operational efficiency."

The firm said it had seen strong sales growth across all regions and made a series of cost-cutting moves, which had contributed to its overall success this year.

Long said: "Over the past 12 months, we saw exceptionally strong sales growth. During this time, we also experienced noteworthy expansion in key vertical markets and demonstrated good improvements in our working capital management.

Looking ahead, the firm predicts that its fourth-quarter sales momentum will hold firm into its new financial year with Q1 sales in the region of $4.75 to $5.15bn.

Paul Reilly, chief financial officer at Arrow, said: "Our results clearly demonstrate that we emerged from the downturn as an even stronger company.

"Going forward, we expect to continue to deliver strong results as we gain share in the markets we serve, create opportunities for Arrow in new markets and execute on our sales strategy."