TENT maker and sporting goods supplier AMG Group has seen its profits rise 11 per and signalled further growth is on the cards.

The Port Glasgow business, which owns the Vango tent brand, underwent a management buyout in March this year which saw three long serving directors acquire a majority stake and provided a partial exit for the Moodie family.

Now accounts just published at Companies House show AMG has posted another solid year of trading in 2013. While turnover dipped from £27.34 million to £26.8m the company managed to trim the cost of its sales from £19.5m to £18.7m. That helped pre-tax profits increase from £1.42m to £1.56m.

Revenue from the UK dipped from £25.27m to £24.6m but there was growth in its overseas turnover from £2.07m to almost £2.19m.

Managing director Stephen Newlands, commercial director Steve Craig and product director Glenn Andrews were the three who took AMG on through the management buyout in March.

Mr Newlands said the company had seen major sales growth in its Vango Airbeam inflatable tents and caravan awnings during 2013.

Writing in the accounts Mr Craig said: "Once again the business achieved satisfactory profits in 2013 despite continuing challenges in the UK and European retail environment. However the directors are pleased to report that conditions have gradually improved which should result in increased profitability for 2014."

Mr Newlands indicated yesterday that 2014 was on course to be a record year and said: "Thankfully all pillars of the business grew in 2014, the largest being in Awnings, due to the introduction of Caravan awnings to complement our drive away awnings."

A strongly positive cashflow in 2013 saw the group increase its net funds position from £4m to £8.8m. There was again no dividend paid in the year.Directors' emoluments increase from £503,899 to £606,107 with the highest paid seeing theirs rise from £184,328 to £216,648. Employee costs were up from £2.99m to £3.12m even though average monthly employee numbers fell from 89 to 83 as a result of a reduction in sales and distribution staff.

Along with Vango, AMG has the expedition and mountaineering Force Ten tent and sleeping bag brand in its portfolio as well as Black's of Greenock.

It also distributes products from camping equipment maker Lichfield, portable stove supplier Trangia, camping foods maker Wayfarer, winter sports brand Rossignol, industrial textile specialist Mitco and outdoor footwear company Asolo.

AMG can trace its roots to 1849 as a cotton trader buying from mills in Lancashire and selling to sail makers on the Clyde.

When steamships change the maritime industry AMG began to supply tent makers.

The modern business has its roots from when Andrew Mitchell Group bought tent manufacturer James McIlwraith of Govan, which was subsequently renamed Vango. The first Vango Force Ten tent was launched in 1967 and became the default product for the likes of The Scout Association, Guides and Boys Brigade.

At the time of the mangement buyout Mr Newlands, who holds a 40 per cent stake in the company, said he was hopeful of taking the Vango brand into North America for the first time as well as further expansion outside the UK.

Yesterday he confirmed new distribution partnerships in the United States and Norway have been agreed and will launch in 2015.