20th Sep 2007 07:00
Wincanton PLC20 September 2007 For immediate release 20 September 2007 Wincanton Plc ("Wincanton" or "the Group") Pre-Close Trading Update Wincanton today issues the following pre-close season trading update for the sixmonths ending 30th September 2007. The strong new business momentum reported in our last financial year has beensustained in the first half of the current year. In the UK & Ireland, contract gains have been recorded in all sectors. Newcustomers such as The Adidas Group, Gallo and Tragus have been added to theportfolio. Business has also been expanded with existing customers such as B &Q, Comet, Dunnes and Sainsbury's. Woolworths, another existing customer, hasawarded new business to our recently-acquired home delivery network. The otherUK acquisition made last year, which established a leading position for us inthe construction sector, also performed well, with incremental volumes from anumber of existing customers. Our portfolio of ancillary services continues tomake good progress. Our recycling business, for example, has had a veryencouraging start to the year, with substantial additional volumes alreadyhaving been secured from a number of local authorities and a good pipeline offurther opportunities. New business momentum also continues to build in our Mainland Europeanoperations with contract gains in all countries. Additional business, into ourtransport networks and warehousing facilities, included wins with Exxon andAlcatel in Germany, Jardiland, Velux and EDF in France, and Auchan, Electroluxand OBI in Poland. Our international transport hub in the Netherlands added newbusiness with Akzo and Ciba-Geigy. Given the continuing high levels of new business activity across the Group wecurrently anticipate that results for the full year will be in line withmanagement expectations. As recently announced, the PGN arbitration process has been settled in favour ofWincanton and its joint venture partner. Quantification of recovery of unpaiddebts and damages for lost profits is under assessment, and receipt of moniesawarded is expected in the current financial year. Graeme McFaull, Wincanton's Chief Executive commenting on the trading update,said: "We continue to be encouraged by the current performance of the Group.Further excellent progress is being reported by our operations in the UK &Ireland and we are building on stronger foundations in Mainland Europe". For further information please contact: Wincanton plc 01249 710 000Graeme McFaull, Chief ExecutiveGerard Connell, Group Finance Director Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000Charles Ryland / Jeremy Garcia This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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