Sales up at Des Kelly Carpets, but profits flat

Profits were flat last year at home furnishing group, Des Kelly Carpets, despite a near 12 per cent increase in sales, the latest…

Profits were flat last year at home furnishing group, Des Kelly Carpets, despite a near 12 per cent increase in sales, the latest figures show.

Recently filed accounts for Des Kelly Carpets Ltd show that sales grew by almost 12 per cent to €8 million from €7.2 million in the 12 months to April 30th, 2005. Operating profits for the year came in at €1.2 million, as against €1.25 million in 2004.

Des Kelly Carpets' 2004 bottom line was boosted by a sale of assets, which earned the company €1.38 million. This lifted profits before tax to €2.35 million that year.

Its pretax surplus in 2005 came to €909,000. However, stripping out the once-off gain from the asset sale, profits for 2004 would have stood at €970,000, just over €60,000 ahead of the 2005 figure.

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After tax, the company's profit for 2005 was €665,800, which brought the profit and loss account to close to €5 million.

Shareholders' funds on April 30th, 2005 stood at €7.2 million, compared with €6.5 million 12 months earlier. The profit for the year was added to reserves and carried forward. The directors did not recommend at dividend.

The balance sheet at end-April 2005 was strong. The company had just over €1.1 million in cash, compared with €1.7 million 12 months earlier. Stocks and debtors were both up, at €2.8 million and €683,000 respectively. Total assets came to €15 million, compared with €13 million in 2004.

Net debt increased to €8.2 million on April 30th, 2005, from €7.2 million on May 1st, 2004.

This was largely down to an increase in the amount due for repayment after more than one year - to €7.6 million from €6.4 million. Debt due within a year actually fell to €6.5 million from €7.5 million.

Its creditors included €641,300 due to a related company based in Sallynoggin, Co Dublin.

Des Kelly Carpets increased the size of its payroll during the year to 134 from 112. This left it with a wages bill of €4.5 million, compared with €3.7 million in 2004. Directors' pay remained level at €305,683.

The company names Des Kelly and Yolanda Kelly as its directors. The notes to the accounts point out that Mr Kelly, its managing director, is the company's majority shareholder.

Barry O'Halloran

Barry O'Halloran

Barry O’Halloran covers energy, construction, insolvency, and gaming and betting, among other areas