Bridgend Holdings, the Ayrshire car sales and repair business, is braced for challenging times for the motor trade although the group maintained profitability in the latest year.

Bridgend Holdings, the Ayrshire car sales and repair business, is braced for challenging times for the motor trade although the group maintained profitability in the latest year.

In the latest accounts for the company, which were filed last week at Companies House, directors note that the group is "exposed to general economic business risk and uncertainty in relation to the slow down in the motor vehicle market".

With consumers cutting spending on big ticket items, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders recently revealed the number of new car registrations in Scotland in October was down 26% on the same month last year. Against that backdrop, the McLaughlan brothers who own Bridgend said that they would focus on ensuring they stocked up with the right cars at the best prices.

"The directors are confident of their market knowledge to reduce losses in this area," wrote the brothers, who have been in the business since 1966.

Bridgend continues to have "strong dealings" with the main insurance companies in the vehicle repair market, which has been affected by consolidation among insurers.

The latest accounts for Bridgend indicate that the company performed well during a year in which consumer confidence fell after house prices peaked in August. Turnover increased to £14.9m in the year to March, from £14m in the preceding year. At £3.8m, gross profits were 25.4% of sales, up from 24%.

Before a payment of £250,000 into the directors' pension schemes, operating profits increased to £587,576 from £584,880.

The company's range of businesses may help it cope with tough times. In addition to running a Mitsubishi dealership in Irvine, Bridgend operates large used car sales sites in Kilwinning and Ayr. It also has an accident repair garage in Kilwinning.

The company can trace its roots to a haulage firm founded in 1930 by Daniel and Alexander McLaughlan's father Hugh.

The first Bridgend garage opened in Kilwinning in 1950.