Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sweet smell of success as Treatt lifts profits 31%

Diane Coyle
Monday 10 January 1994 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

TREATT, the USM-quoted supplier of essential oils, has reported better than expected pre-tax profits of pounds 1.7m for the year to September 1993, up 31 per cent on the previous year.

Turnover - which reached pounds 15.4m - rose significantly in the developing markets of the Far East, many of which are also important sources of Treatt's raw materials. Sales in the US improved substantially as well, taking the Florida subsidiary set up three years ago into profit for the first time.

Treatt imports basic essential oils such as sandalwood, clove and citrus, refines them and produces blends for customers to add to products ranging from detergents to food and drink.

It will not name its customers since they usually need to keep product ingredients a secret from competitors.

Treatt has announced it will double distilling capacity, which should reduce costs significantly, from mid-1994.

The company has seen steady improvements in margins in the four years since flotation, thanks to the fashion for natural ingredients. Natural flavours and perfumes sell for up to 50 times more than artificial versions.

Hugo Bovill, managing director of the family-run firm, said this trend was important, but the greater potential lay in developing country markets where 85 per cent of the world's population accounted for only a quarter of world consumption of essential oils.

Treatt's share price closed up 13p at 180p.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in