Private label household and personal care products manufacturer McBride has seen a rise in revenues despite the “current difficult trading environment”.

The company, which has a manufacturing facility in Park Road, Barrow, reported a £35 million increase in revenues from for the half year ending December 31, 2018 – rising to £369m compared to the same period in 2017.

Pre-tax profits were up slightly from £13.2m to £13.3m.

But the company’s chief executive Rik De Vos warned that it expects adjusted profits before tax to be between 10 and 15 per cent lower compared to the previous financial year, citing continued pressures on the group’s cost base along with challenging trading conditions.

The company is undergoing a Repair, Prepare, Grow strategy to tackle the challenges it has faced in the global marketplace.

Its Barrow factory manufactures a wide range of household products including dishwashing tablets and employs around 140 people.

Commenting on the results, Mr De Vos, said the cost of raw materials and higher than estimated distribution costs were putting pressure on the company’s cost base.

“Accordingly, although the group continues to anticipate further good sales growth in the second half year, the Board now expects full year adjusted profits before tax to be approximately 10% to 15% lower than the prior financial year,” he said.

“In order to seek to mitigate the effect of rising costs, the business has been implementing price increases and continues with further supply chain efficiency measures and overhead rationalisation actions to counter continuing cost inflation.

“Given McBride's market leadership, sound financial position and continued growth prospects, the Group remains well placed in the current difficult trading environment to make further progress against its strategic ambitions,” he added.