Euro sales growth boosts Westcoast in solid 2011

Distributor's annual numbers show top and bottom lines holding firm in "extremely competitive marketplace"

Healthy growth in mainland European sales helped UK distribution heavyweight Westcoast maintain sales and profit levels during a solid 2011.

Documents filed with Companies House this month show that, for the 2011 calendar year, the Theale-based firm saw sales grow two per cent on last year to £826.1m. Operating profit was nigh on flat at just over £6.9m.

Over the course of the year the distributor's net assets crept up by £3m, standing at £44.35m at year-end.

Sales in the UK fell marginally last year to £768.8m. But revenue generated by the rest of Europe grew almost 60 per cent to £57.1m. Average monthly employee numbers grew from 433 to 448 during the year.

The directors' report for the year claims that Westcoast maintained a tight ship in 2011 by reining in operating costs.

"As commented throughout the UK IT industry in 2011, [it] was an extremely competitive marketplace," says the report. "Westcoast has continued to strive to combat [this] locally through differentiation in our focus and the value-add to our vendors and customers, and by operating a more efficient and low-cost operation.

"Through further investment in our people and systems we strive to expand our business in related markets. The directors remain confident that Westcoast is well placed to take advantage of opportunities as they arise."