Trading Update
Robinson plc now anticipates underlying operating profit for 2026 to be between £1.2 million and £1.6 million, with revenue projected at approximately £59 million, a 6% increase over 2025, though sales volumes are expected to be 1% lower. This revised outlook is due to weaker-than-expected demand in Paperbox and UK Plastics businesses, compounded by rising energy costs, with Denmark trading as expected and Poland remaining challenging. The company is reviewing cost reduction opportunities and expects 2027 profitability to be in line with 2026, maintaining its target underlying operating margin of 6-8%. Surplus property sales have generated £1.5 million in cash proceeds year-to-date, with another sale expected within three months, and a further sale delayed to Q2 2027, which will benefit reported profit before tax for 2026.
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Robinson plc ("Robinson", the “Company” or the “Group”; stock code: RBN), the custom manufacturer of plastic and paperboard packaging based in Chesterfield, issues the following trading statement and surplus property update.
Current trading and outlook
The Board now expects underlying operating profit* for the year ending 31 December 2026 to be in the range of £1.2m to £1.6m. Revenue for 2026 is expected to be approximately £59m, 6% ahead of 2025. Sales volumes are expected to be 1% below 2025.
The second half of the year is typically the Group’s busiest period, with demand building in the UK from early September. This year, demand has been weaker than anticipated in the Paperbox and UK Plastics businesses. In Paperbox, we have seen a lack of new business and lower orders than expected from our key customers; in total our sales estimate is now £1.0m lower for this business. In UK Plastics, we have experienced a lower share of volumes from a dual-supplied customer, a breakdown in a filling-line at another large customer and softer demand for some seasonal products due to warmer weather. These three issues have contributed to a reduced expectation for sales in this business of £1.3m. Energy costs across the Group have also risen more than anticipated, reflecting the conflict in the Middle East. Denmark continues to trade in line with expectations, while conditions in Poland remain challenging.
In response to lower customer demand, the Group is reviewing opportunities to reduce costs. We are continuing to strengthen our sales capability and our approach to securing new projects, which we expect to benefit the business in future periods.
Excluding the benefit of potential mitigating actions, the Board expects FY2027 profitability to be in line with FY2026. We remain committed to delivering above-market profitable growth and our target underlying operating margin of 6–8%**.
Surplus property
Surplus property sales have generated cash proceeds of £1.5m in 2026 to date. The expected exchange and completion of one further sale has been delayed to the second quarter of 2027, but the Group continues to expect to exchange and complete on another sale within the next three months. Reported profit before tax for 2026 will benefit from property disposals.
* Operating profit before other items
** Operating profit margin before other items
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