Toll, the Australian group that aims to be Asia’s leading integrated logistics provider, saw operating profit rise 7.3 per cent to A$436.4m in the year to 30th June on sales up 18.4 per cent to A$8.2bn.
Managing director Paul Little said: “We have continued to make good progress in growing our range of businesses despite the weak conditions affecting a number of our operations. We have benefited from both acquisitions and organic growth, while also being affected by macro-economic conditions.
“Toll Global Logistics saw revenue growth with excellent results from its Australian businesses in2store and Contract Logistics, and its South/Southeast Asian region. Reduced special project work from the Singapore government contracts and the sale of Pacorini Toll negatively affected comparisons to the prior year. Automotive logistics was particularly impacted by the difficult economic conditions in Australia.”
Little said trading conditions had stabilized but the outlook was challenging to predict. “We will continue to focus on our strategic growth path, achieving the necessary scale in Toll Global Forwarding, incrementally improving the performance of Footwork Express in Japan and continuing to grow our exposure to the strong resources sector.”
Little retires at the end of the year to be replaced by Brian Kruger. “I look forward with interest to see where he leads the company,” said Little.