Bunzl sales move forward despite the tough trading climate in UK and Ireland
DISTRIBUTOR Bunzl said third-quarter revenue was up, boosted by acquisitions and demand for H1N1 flu virus products, but sales at its UK business were below last year due to tough economic conditions.
Bunzl, which supplies supermarkets, hospitals and hotels with products ranging from carrier bags to toilet rolls, said yesterday that group revenue for the third quarter was up six per cent compared with the same period last year.
Revenues in the UK and Ireland were below last year’s figures, Bunzl said, because of tough trading conditions, but across Europe sales and operating profit were ahead of last year, helped by strong demand for products related to the H1N1 influenza virus as well as several acquisitions.
Bunzl also announced details of its latest purchase, Dutch company W. Van’t Veer Verpakkingen B.V., a company that sells cleaning and hygiene products to the healthcare market and the ninth acquisition Bunzl has made so far in 2010.
Bunzl’s shares closed the day down 11.5p at 760.5p.