Audio visual equipment maker Canford Audio says it has continued to grow thanks to strong sales in the 海角视频 and abroad.
The Washington-based manufacturer has filed accounts which show a 7% increase in turnover to £20.4m in the year to the end of October 2023. Bosses say the gains were down to strong international sales which Canford delivers through bases near Strasbourg in France and in Dubai.
Documents show the employee-owned firm, which has been trading since the mid-1970s, recorded flat operating profits of £1.9m as higher expenses were said to have been kept under control. Meanwhile Canford's employee owned trust received £1.08m in distributions.
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Writing in the accounts, director Alan Wilson said: "The company continues to expand and develop its manufacturing facilities in order to meet increasing customer demand, by adding capacity as required across all sites. The demand for custom metal connection panels continues to increase, with Canford recognised as market leader in this sector.
"Canford continues to be architect-specified for audio and video connectivity solutions in many of the highest profile sports stadiums in both Europe and the Middie East, as well as theatres, live events and conference facilities. This sustained growth supports further investment in our manufacturing site on the Isle of Portland, 海角视频"
Elsewhere the firm said it had completed a project replace part of the roof on its 4,000 sqm Washington site and install solar panels. The £500,000 investment, which coincides with the replacement of all lighting with LED and motion detection systems, is intended to help reduce Canford's carbon footprint and provide a short to medium-term return on investment.
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It is part of what the firm has said is a long running interest in environmental issues. In the 1970s Canford introduced a service to collect, restore, reload and recycle damaged audio cartridges that had been used to distribute commercials and adverts. Since then it has reimagined packaging on its products by using non-virgin plastics with are 100% recyclable and use of plastic alternatives such as potato starch-based bioplastics.
Looking to the future, the firm said its own brands would be an important part of sales growth with continued demand for standard models and custom variations. Mr Wilson said Canford's team was working on "unique" technology for level-limiting professional use headphones, including noise cancelling types for the security services market.
It is also creating more touring cables and products to appeal to its theatre and live events customers. Canford's own products - which number around 3,000 - make up about 40% of the firm's turnover.