Margins and profits improved at Avon Rubber despite revenues falling due to defence spending delays in the US.
The high-tech rubber products provider, whose products span military gas masks to diary equipment, said sales declined by 15 per cent to £48 million in the six months to March 31 against the same period last year. However, pre-tax profits leapt from £2.9m to £4.4m.
The Melksham-based group blamed delays in the approval of the US military budget for the fall in sales – although it stressed that they are now expected to climb following approval of the budget. Avon supplies its M50 military respirator to the US. Significant export orders were received from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and France for the M50 during the period.
