Westcoast reports surge in sales and profit

Westcoast has reported a surge in both revenue and profit, claiming to now be the largest privately owned IT company in the UK.

Revenue for the year ending 31 December 2019 rose 12 per cent to £2.3bn, while operating profit climbed 12.5 per cent to £21.6m, according to accounts filed with Companies House.

Westcoast said the growth was largely attributed to "continuing investment in service improvements for customers and suppliers, new service capability and innovative marketing".

"Trading conditions are always challenging in a highly competitive environment, but Westcoast has outperformed the market despite fluctuating external conditions including two failed attempts at exiting the European Union during 2019; Windows 7 becoming unsupported by Microsoft in January 2020; and a volatile print market."

Sales in the UK rose around eight per cent to £1.98bn, while European revenue was up 39 per cent to £259.76m.

Revenue for the rest of the world was up 27 per cent to £14m.

Westcoast also highlighted the importance of its new 341,871 sq ft facility in Andover, opened in April last year.

"This new facility will add flexible capability to the business for the next few years allowing new growth in many existing and new business areas," the distie said.