CALEDONIAN Bottlers has recorded a drop in pre-tax profits despite a slight increase in annual turnover.
The company, based in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, reported an annual rise in turnover of just under two per cent from £12.67 million to £12.9 million.
However, the firm's pre-tax profits fell by five per cent at £1.16 million, down from £1.23 million in 2012.
Employee costs have risen from £954,910 to £1,016,505, despite the overall average staff complement decreasing by one to 48.
Equity dividends worth £500,000 were paid for the period between December 29, 2012 and January 3, 2014.
A negative cashflow saw net funds drop by around £1 million to around £245,000.
The company is owned by the Belfast-based SHS Group, which makes drinks including Merrydown Cider and WKD. Writing in the accounts, the Caledonian directors said: "[We] consider that in light of the prevailing economic and market conditions, both the results for the period and the prospects for the future are satisfactory."
Caledonian Bottlers was started in 1992 by Freddie Williams, and was fully bought over by the Belfast-based SHS Group following his death in 2008. SHS owns a range of other consumer brands including the Shloer grape drink, Bottlegreen cordials and non-alcoholic beer Equator. It also operates match-making firm Maguire & Paterson and food companies that supply own-label products to supermarkets.
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