Export success for Leicestershire packing firm

08th August 2012

A Leicestershire export packing firm has enjoyed its best half year in recent times with support from Yorkshire Bank, and has increased its workforce as a result.

Neal Brothers has expanded its team across the business by around 10% this year, and is on course to hit its own target of £15 million annual turnover, backed by on-going support form Yorkshire Bank's Leicester Business Banking Centre.

Yorkshire Bank has worked with Neal Brothers for around 12 years during which time the bank has funded the purchase of new properties and the acquisition of rival companies.

The firm, which is run by Managing Director and Chairman David Neal, employs around 200 people across five sites in the UK, including 80 at its headquarters on Hastings Road in Leicester and 12 employees at its Beaumont Street site in Oadby.

The company's Finance Director Mark Williams said business activity is now close to levels enjoyed prior to the recession, as the company continues to expand its international presence.

"Like many companies we have not been immune to the economic pressures of the last few years, and indeed, it still remains difficult for business including many of our customers," he said.

"That said, we have enjoyed an encouraging first half to the year, our best in recent years in fact, and we are in a good position to build on this success in the second half of 2012, and onwards into 2013.”

Mark said that backing from Yorkshire Bank had been, and continues to be, central to the success of Neal Brothers.

"We have been working with Yorkshire Bank for the last 12 years, during which time they have offered us first class advice and helped us fund the purchase of several new properties, such as our site in Meltham, West Yorkshire, which we acquired in 2000, along with other acquisitions in the North West and the Midlands.

"We are certainly moving in the right direction and appreciate the on-going support given to us by the team at Yorkshire Bank."

Paul Elliott, banking partner at Yorkshire Bank’s Leicester Business Banking Centre on New Walk, said that Neal Brothers has built a solid reputation as one of the UK's leading specialist export packers.

"Neal Brothers is a highly successful company, which has established a diverse portfolio in many sectors and has sites not only in the UK, but also in Belgium, Romania, Italy and North America,” he said.

"The firm, with its operations all over the world, is very much a success story for Leicestershire.

“We are delighted Neal Brothers is experiencing a strong trading period in its illustrious history, and we look forward to continuing our strong relationship with the Neal Brothers team and supporting the company as it progresses through the next decade."