FDBusiness.com

Despite the difficult trading environment, Zetar, the UK confectionery and snack food group, increased revenue by 2% to £135.0m and adjusted operating profit by 3% to £7.5m for the year ended 30th April 2011. Adjusted profit before tax rose 6% to £6.7m and EBITDA increased from £9.6m to £9.8m.

The results reflect a record performance by the confectionery division due to continued increase in everyday sales and an improved mix of higher margin products allied to further cost efficiencies. The natural snacks division was impacted by rising raw materials costs but the operating margin improved during the second half from 2.6% to 4.5% as price increases were implemented and more branded products were sold.

“We have set ambitious plans for the group to enhance revenue and margin over the next three years. Our key focus is to drive sales of premium private label and branded products across both divisions,” says Ian Blackburn, chief executive of Zetar. “The group’s strong financial base provides the resource to realise this strategy.”