Rigid plastics packaging supplier RPC Group (Higham Ferrers, Rushden / UK; www.rpc.eu) reported unchanged pretax profits of GBP 29.4m (EUR 43.4m) on sales that rose 6% to GBP 645.7m in fiscal 2007 (31 March). Like-for-like operating profit improved 3% to GBP 37.7m, compared with fiscal 2006. The company called the performance a solid result in a challenging environment. Improving volumes and margins were seen in the second half. Revenue contributions were: injection moulding GBP 281m; thermoforming GBP 217m; blow moulding GBP 147.7m.

The company is taking steps to reduce injection moulding costs by lowering employee numbers, extending the working week at no extra pay and reviewing the number of operating sites. Similar actions have already been taken in thermoforming, where some equipment has been relocated to minimise transport costs. Difficulties at the Rushden factory with efficient integration of the blow moulding machinery transferred from the plant closed at Woburn Sands, near Milton Keynes, have yet to be fully resolved.

RPC says further consolidation of the rigid plastics packaging market in Europe is expected to provide attractive opportunities for organic growth and acquisitions. The development pipeline includes "a significant number of pharmaceutical projects" as customers develop innovative products to open up new markets.