By Iain Gilbert
Date: Tuesday 21 May 2019
LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - Food packing company Hilton Food Group has traded in line with expectations thus far in 2019, continuing to grow its business through additional volumes and close cooperation with retail partners.
In the UK, Hilton saw turnover in its red meat business grow year-on-year, partly due to its decision to start packing barbecue chicken products, while its Irish operations also experienced "encouraging" top-line growth.
On the continent, despite turnover being lower, Hilton reported a pick-up in its Danish operations towards the end of the period. Hilton's Swedish and Dutch units also continued to perform well, providing support to its customer through a focus on new product and packaging development as well as other initiatives.
In Australia, the FTSE 250 resident continued to see "strong growth" ahead of the opening of its Queensland plant in the third quarter of 2019. Across the Tasman, work continues on the firm's New Zealand facility.
Hilton assured investors its financial position remained "strong", having put in place facilities to cover current expansion plans, and vowed to continue to explore opportunities in which to invest and to grow the business both domestically and abroad.
As of 0820 BST, Hilton shares had inched forward 0.33% to 1,069.50p.