BPI says trading improved despite tough conditions

Plastic packaging maker British Polythene Industries (BPI) said measures to move its business away from recession hit sectors paid off in the third quarter, allowing it to match last year’s performance.

The Greenock-based company has been targeting agricultural and retail markets after demand from its customers in the construction industry dried up.

It said that, despite increases to the price of raw materials during the summer, trading in the three months to September had been in line with previous expectations.

Chairman Cameron McLatchie said: “The volume shortfall that we experienced in the first six months was not as pronounced in the third quarter, when volumes were less than 1 per cent behind 2011 due to better sales of silage stretchwrap which has benefited from good growing conditions in the third quarter.

“Business is far from easy, but the group has taken a number of difficult decisions over the last few years, and this puts us in a good position to withstand the current economic conditions.”

The firm continues to expect our performance for the current year to be in line with 2011.