Turnover for 2000, including 10 months trading of Semara, rose by 27.7% to £220.4million. Pre-tax profit, excluding reorganisation costs, goodwill amortisation and exceptional items, increased by 10% to £28.2million.
The Semara acquisition has almost doubled Johnson’s British textile rental business. Turnover grew to £122.6million (£63.4 million in 1999) and operating profit rose from £15.8million to £23.4million.
In Ireland, the Connacht Court Group increased turnover from £23.8million to £25.4million, but operating profit fell from £1.9million to £1.6million.
Workwear and clean room businesses performed well but the Dublin linen operation performed poorly and has since been sold.
Johnsons Cleaners continues to be highly cash generative, improving both profit and margin. During 2000, the company ran a targeted regional TV campaign. It opened 16 new branches in convenient locations and closed 22 poorly sited shops.
