HARLOW BROS. LIMITED

Values shown as filed in the company's annual accounts. — indicates the figure wasn't present under that line item in that period. About these numbers

Margins divide P&L lines by turnover. Gearing is liabilities over total assets. Current ratio is current assets over creditors falling due within one year. Interest cover is operating profit over absolute finance costs. Sector-distribution context coming next.

Accounting basis

FRS 102

Reporting scope

Standalone (parent only)

Auditor

Charnwood Accountants & Business Advisors LLP

Audit opinion

Unqualified (clean)

Going concern

Affirmed

“In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.”

Significant events

• “Our customers remained cautious during this year, but the immediate future remains less certain given political mindset and economic conditions; continued high Living wage increases, the national insurance rise, sticky interest rates and nervousness around the delayed November budget being the main factors.”
• “The forthcoming year will be challenging with inflation heavily influenced by labour market cost pressure resulting in tighter margins. We remain cautious in relation to how these elements will influence our markets.”
• “Changes to H&S regulations have impacted all areas of the timber industry generating high one-off costs with no commercial advantage. However, investment in a brand new site in Nottingham, replacing the original, established location has proven commercially timely.”
• “During this financial period, the company began the exercise of transferring the scheme over to a new preferred provider - Just. Although this has proven a costly exercise, the long term benefits for the employees and the company were identified, along with the ambition that this transfer will be completed by the end of 2026.”
• “The company became an Employee Owned business in March 2022, with the previous shareholders selling 90% of their shares to Harlow Timber Group Trustees Limited. This is the third year of employee ownership.”
• “In 2024, the Values in Practice award scheme was launched to formally recognise individuals who exemplify the company's core values and to motivate broader participation.”
• “The long-standing length of service programme honoured 63 employees this year, acknowledging their dedication to the business, their teams, and the larger Harlow Group.”
• “Recognising the critical importance of mental health both globally and within our sector, the company has intensified its support initiatives by expanding access to counselling, offering services with mental health professionals, and streamlining GP consultations.”
• “A bespoke Management Development Programme has been introduced, with 11 managers participating in workshops in the first group and 12 in the second group, designed to enhance leadership capabilities and adapt to evolving management challenges.”

Auditor, going-concern and subsidiary information is drawn from the narrative of the latest annual accounts. About these numbers

Filings

4

last 12 months

Capital events

0

last 24 months

Officers appointed

1

last 12 months

Officers resigned

0

last 12 months

Direct counts from the register. No score, no rating — see the Filing timeline for the underlying events.

• Turnover

  +6.5%

  £43,861,836 → £46,712,072

• Cash

  -25%

  £9,951,663 → £7,463,229

• Net assets

  -7.1%

  £25,673,133 → £23,841,752

• Employees

  +0.3%

  302 → 303

• Operating profit

  -80.5%

  £1,307,263 → £254,677

• Profit before tax

  -58.8%

  £1,748,515 → £719,814

• Wages

  +5.3%

  £7,938,002 → £8,361,618

Each % is (latest − prior) ÷ |prior| for the line item as filed. Periods don't have to be exactly 12 months apart — a long or short period (typical around incorporation or year-end changes) will distort the comparison. Lines a company doesn't report are omitted. About these numbers