SALES at Oxford-based Unipart have soared to more than £1bn for the second year running, writes David Duffy.

The logistics and car parts firm saw a rise in sales of 6.6 per cent to £1,078m, compared with £1.011m in 1996. Pre-tax profits were £28.6m compared to £22m the previous year.

Chief executive John Neill said 1997 was very eventful with extended contracts with Volkswagen Group UK and Hewlett-Packard and new contracts from Daihatsu (UK) and Bull Information Systems.

In Unipart Industries, Ketlon won a contract to supply components to Mercedes-Benz.

Four new businesses set up in a £90m joint venture - including Unipart Yutaka Systems in Cowley - completed their factories on time and within budget.

Mr Neill said not only had the group added important new customers and contracts, butalso branched out into new business areas like health, leisure, information technology and transportation.

He added: "Unipart has consistently eschewed over-concentration on the short term, preferring to embrace longer-term strategic investments which will secure the future of the business.

"Our strategy of investing for the long term has established Unipart as the undisputed leader in customer service and I have little doubt it will continue to ensure the prosperity of the group and its stakeholders."

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