Packaging group Robinson (Chesterfield / UK; www.robinsonpackaging.com) saw revenues fall last year as a result of lost business and customer-delayed product launches.

The group, which manufactures and sells a range of rigid plastic packaging products, reported an annual revenue for 2016 of GBP 27.5m (EUR 31.8m), down 6% on the previous year. Volumes fell by 8%, due to previously reported lost contracts and lower demand for certain categories of branded goods, while operating profits before exceptionals fell 40% to GBP 1.4m (EUR 1.6m).

Group margins fell one percentage point to 23%, as the lost business had been at higher margin activity, Robinson said. The group noted it had strengthened its management and sales team, including a new commercial director, moves which added GBP 0.3m (EUR 0.35m) in costs to the business.

Meanwhile, Robinson said it anticipated that proceeds from the sale of two of its sites that were surplus to its requirements would finance further expansion of the business and reduce debt.

Robinson’s chairman, Richard Clothier, said: “The general economic conditions suggest another challenging year ahead with continued pressure on consumer product brands and the UK retail sector. Continued investment in both personnel and equipment are leading to significant additional expenditure in 2017, justified by new business, some of which is already coming on stream. We remain on track to deliver revenue growth in 2017.”