SAFETY firm Arco has announced record sales growth and increased profits in its annual report.
Sales for the year to June rose by 7.6 per cent to £268.2m and operating profit increased to £15.4m.
With one-off expenditure left out, this was a 10 per cent boost.
The company, which has its headquarters in Lister Street, off Hessle Road, west Hull, put its success down to several large contract wins.
In a statement, joint managing directors Thomas Martin and Neil Jowsey said: "These excellent results have been achieved through the total commitment and effort of everyone across the Arco business.
"As the UK's leading safety supplier, we must constantly review our business to ensure we remain competitive and deliver excellent service to our customers.
"Our strategy of continued investment in 2014 will enable us to develop successful, long-term improvements, which will deliver what our customers need and ensure Arco continues to maintain its market-leading position."
The firm, which sells safety equipment to commercial buyers, has this year invested in staff training and several IT projects.
The company said it had helped control costs, allowing more investment to be made.
Arco opened a £500,000 product testing laboratory at its National Distribution Centre in west Hull earlier this year.
It is the first company in its industry to have an in-house lab, giving the business an advantage over competitors.
Since the end of its financial year, the firm has continued to act boldly.
It bought height and confined space training firm Total Access for an undisclosed sum last month and hit national headlines in the fight against Ebola.
In October, Arco signed a seven-figure deal to supply the Government with 100,000 hazard suits a month for workers combating the illness in Sierra Leone.
The contract will last for five months.
Mr Martin also plays a role in influencing Government policy on safety issues.
He delivered the opening address at the conference of industry body the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health in June.
Arco also hosted a House of Commons dinner this year, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act. The company said the event was "attended by key decision-makers and influencers at the heart of government".
Arco has more than 40 branches across the UK and an office in China.
