CR Smith reaps benefits of bigger domestic and commercial projects

Kevin Eadie alongside the first FIX tram

Windows, doors and conservatories company CR Smith has posted positive results for the 18 month period ending 31 August 2017 with both turnover and profits showing an increase.

Revenues for the 18 months to the end of August 2017 were £33.6 million, equivalent to a 12 month pro-rated £22.4m (2016: £21.9m) a 2.3% rise over the previous year; while profits (before tax) were £196,699 (2016: £159,083). Profit after tax was £221,076 (2016: £101,700).

It is the seventh successive year that CR Smith has reported growth in the business, which now employs 289 across Scotland.



Total capital expenditure, including new Mercedes van fleet, was £616k.

The company’s commercial arm, CR Smith Manufacturing Limited, which employs an additional 93 at its factory in Cowdenbeath, has also reported a rise in turnover for the 18 month period to 31 August 2017.

In separate accounts, sales for CR Smith Manufacturing Limited were £12.4m over the period. This is equivalent to a 12 month pro-rated £8.3m (2016: £7.5m) a 10.7% rise over the previous year; while profits (before tax) were £57,118 (2016: £118,214). Profit after tax was £49,513 (2016: £108,234).

This is down on 2016 following major capital investment in new plant and machinery in 2016 and continuing in 2017. Some £0.5m was also spent refurbishing the property infrastructure that supports this growing manufacturing business at the Cowdenbeath site and resulted in temporary extra costs to operations.



The directors of CR Smith believe that the successful pursuit of new markets has underpinned its continuing success. The development of FIX from CR Smith, which repairs, replaces and upgrades windows, doors and conservatories, no matter who fitted them, and the focus on the quality of its manufacturing capability have, in particular, seen the company take on bigger projects both within the domestic and commercial markets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=ydn2-zBFNiM

In the autumn of 2017, the company became the first commercial sponsor of the Edinburgh Trams, wrapping 18 of the tram fleet in its distinctive branding. The tram livery was the first stage in the new CR Smith Scotland-wide marketing campaign, which put the classic ‘Man in the Blue and White Van’ messaging, first used in the 1980s, back into the heart of its brand positioning.

The sponsorship, the first of its kind for Edinburgh’s trams, was closely followed with a roll out, including the new distinctive livery, of the fleet of new Mercedes vans. A further two trams, devoted to promoting CR Smith FIX branding were wrapped this month.



Executive chairman, Gerard Eadie CBE, has run the company for over 40 years, having bought CR Smith as a 22 year-old. He said: “While replacement windows will always be our core business, the company is developing key markets for large, complex builds. Within the domestic market, our reputation for high quality living spaces, such as orangeries, is growing. At the same time, that expertise and experience is making an impact within the commercial sector.

“At the heart of what we do is our understanding of customer requirements and we can deliver a bespoke product that matches those requirements from our state-of-the-art Cowdenbeath factory. We continue to invest in the future with confidence.”

Colin Eadie, who runs CR Smith Manufacturing Limited, added: “The commercial business is continuing to grow its customer base within the new build housing and commercial markets and is actively tendering for work across an extensive range of existing and new customers.

“Over recent months we have completed a major project at Malin Court Hotel at Turnberry, Ayrshire. I’m also delighted to say that we helped to build the Social Bite Village at Granton, Edinburgh, by providing the windows and doors for all 10 nest homes and community centre.”



The directors expect the general level of activity to show continued growth rates during the 2017/18 year.


Share icon
Share this article: