Labour hire firm Allied Work Force – which includes truck and
equipment operators in its catalogue of contract staff – has reported strong
profits for the last financial year.
Profit jumped to $6.9 million in the 12 months ended March
31, from $2.6 million – although some of this was off the back of the sale of
its healthcare unit.
Sales rose 24% to $130.5 million, meeting guidance, with
earnings excluding the sale of the healthcare unit up 18% to $5.4 million.
“It is no surprise to see continued steady growth in
Christchurch, but this has been supported over the second half of the financial
year by strength in the Auckland job market,” chief executive Mike
Huddleston says.
“Construction and infrastructure development have led
the way in Auckland, but the great summer also resulted in stronger
manufacturing activity.”
AWF is New Zealand’s largest provider of temporary staff,
placing an average 3000 people a day.
AWF does not expect the tight labour market to ease.
“We think there will be a return of a reasonable number
of New Zealanders from Australia, and these workers, supported by immigration,
will go some way to meet demand,” Huddleston says.
“This environment presents good opportunities for
AWF.”
