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Double-digit growth and an increase in underlying profit has been recorded by safety giant Arco in results covering the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hull giant saw sales increase 13 per cent, surging to £320 million, with demand for PPE offsetting lockdown-enforced retail and training closures.

It played a key role in the supply, but was left frustrated it could not do more - with strong criticism of government procurement.

Underlying profit increased to £10.7 million, up from 2019’s £8.3 million on £282 million in sales - having dropped from a previous record £295 million in 2018.

David Evison, managing director of the 1,600-strong family-owned firm, said: “Despite another year of challenging trading conditions, I am immensely proud of our colleagues and how we, together, have responded with commitment and flexibility to support our customers.

“At the start of the pandemic, with many of our traditional customers in lockdown themselves and unable to operate, we geared up our business swiftly and efficiently to deal with the response. Our investment programme proved timely with our expanded distribution facilities coming online as the pandemic broke, enabling us to source, stock and distribute unprecedented quantities of compliant PPE to keep essential workers safe.”

The business had just completed a 20,000 sq m extension to its national distribution centre in the city, with investment not stopping there as new-build headquarters now completes on the Fruit Market.

Looking beyond, Mr Evison said: “The outlook remains uncertain as the country faces recession, growing uncertainty over Brexit and the continuing impact of the pandemic. “However, we are well positioned to navigate through these challenges, as we have done many times in our 136-year history.