Business

Model train maker Hornby back on track as sales climb

Sales steam ahead after the toy maker pulled the handbrake on its pre-tax losses

Hornby has trimmed its pre-tax losses to £2.5 million for the year to September 30th, down from a £3.2 million loss the previous year. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Thu Nov 28 2019 - 18:52

The boss of model train maker Hornby said it is back on track in its turnaround as the company narrowed its losses for the year.

The company trimmed its pre-tax losses to £2.5 million for the year to September 30th, down from a £3.2 million loss the previous year.

Chief executive Lyndon Davies said: "Revenue is growing, losses are narrowing and we are shifting gears in our journey back to profitability and beyond."

Hornby said profitability improved after it “pulled the handbrake” on its discounting strategy, although the initial impact was “more painful than expected”.

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Turnaround plan

Nevertheless, the company said it is through the hardest part of its turnaround plan and has re-engaged its customer base.

Revenues for the year jumped 15 per cent to £15.9 million, up from £13.8 million in 2018.

Net debt deepened to £8.4 million for the year, from £1.8 million in the previous year, after it spent significantly on building up stock ahead of the key Christmas trading period. It said sales continue to be above the same period last year, but it is “difficult to tell” what the outcome will be for the full-year results as it heads towards Christmas. – PA

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