GRAY & Adams, the freight vehicle manufacture and repair company, has cited tough competition from national and international rivals as profits steadied in its last financial year.

New accounts show the company, which works with refrigerated and dry freight vehicles, made a pre-tax profit of £4.57 million in the year to April 30, compared with £4.64m last time. That came as turnover dipped to £101.2m from £104m.

Acknowledging the tough market, the directors said: The company will continue to differentiate itself from the competition through product quality and continued investment in innovation, technology and facilities.”