Southport-based manufacturer Lattimer hits £10m turnover

North West manufacturer Lattimer has become a £10.6m-turnover business after seeing its sales leap by 30% in the last 12 months.

In its latest audited report, the Southport firm’s UK business showed a 31% increase in sales, while its US arm – operated from a facility in Vineland, New Jersey – increased sales by 34%.

Today, exports now account for 92% of Lattimer’s overall turnover, with European markets responsible for 17% of that figure.

The company hit a turnover of £7.7m in its last financial year and £9.9m in the year previous.

Lattimer, which provides manufacturing machinery and equipment primarily for the glass container industry, now employs a team of 72 in the UK and 42 in the US.

Stephen Waterhouse, Lattimer Holdings’ CEO, said: “This rapid growth has been driven by combination of factors including opening up a new business stream with a major customer in northern Europe.

“In addition to this the Lattimer team has made a huge effort to drive brand profile overseas for a number of years and this work is now coming to fruition.”

He added: “We embarked on an ambitious export business development plan around three years ago involving consistent site visits to overseas territories and distributors.”

Speaking further, Stephen said another factor contributing towards the firm’s growth was its decision to replace a 30-year working arrangement for the German and eastern European markets with a specialist in-house team

He continued: “Lattimer’s largest overseas markets include Australasia, the Middle East and Africa. And in the first half of 2016 we have already matched last year’s overall sales total for the Ukraine and Russian markets, so growth is consistent and continuing.

“However, after many years exporting we understand it is a long-term process. To succeed you have to invest in site visits and building relationships in order to educate and inform customers of the benefits of our products and services.”

Lattimer was established in 1937 as a general engineering business.

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