A FROZEN food storage and distribution firm says its “tried and tested formula” is providing a solid foundation for growth after overcoming increased transport costs and the loss of a customer.

Reed Boardall says annual revenues remained steady as its decades of experience kept operations on an even keel.

The company, which runs a 55- acre site off the A1(M) at Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, ensures millions of people have food on their table every day by holding and moving goods for supermarket chiller cabinets and freezers.

According to its latest results, released today, the company saw 12-month revenues stand at £64.3m, compared to £65.9m in the previous year. Bosses said turnover fell slightly due to the anticipated loss of a large customer, which impacted stock volumes, and the price of running its 180-strong fleet of trucks.

However, officials said pre-tax profits lifted from £3.2m to £3.4m as work to replenish stock levels was matched by measures to make the firm more efficient.

The business previously revealed plans to expand a cold store to hold a further 30,000 pallets of goods, building on existing space for 142,000 pallets, and Marcus Boardall, deputy chief executive, said it remains well placed to continue its expansion.

He said: “After more than 20 years as partners to some of the leading players in the British food sector, we have a tried and tested formula for reliably providing cold storage and transport services they need.

“With consumers shopping more frequently at outlets with restricted storage space, our customers are demanding smaller and swifter deliveries.”

Reed Boardall, which employs more than 750 staff at Boroughbridge, traces its roots back to Northallerton, also North Yorkshire, when, in the late 1970s, food industry workers Guy Reed and Keith Boardall bought a major stake in Allerton Cold Storage.

That company subsequently expanded, partly through the acquisition of Boroughbridge’s Wilson Transport, and was renamed Reed Boardall in the early 1990s.

Sarah Roberts, finance director, said such a history and industry know-how will continue to be crucial in the business’ future.

She added: “With our solid trackrecord, we are able to run an extremely efficient operation to the benefit of customers in what is a very competitive sector.”

The company’s wagons move an average of 12,000 pallets every day and the firm stores around £100m worth of products for customers.