Britain's Hornby wary of port disruptions despite bumper order book
15/09/2021 10:38
Sept 15 (Reuters) - Toymaker Hornby HRN.L , whose products
include Thomas the Tank engine trains, warned on Wednesday that
ongoing supply problems in Britain could hit its crucial
Christmas season despite having a substantially higher order
book.
Hornby, which also makes model cars and planes, had to pause
all orders last December from customers outside the UK during
the holiday season, blaming the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.
This year, supply chains in the UK are under strain because of a
shortage of workers, particularly haulage drivers.
"Our outstanding order book is very strong and substantially
higher than a year ago, however timing is everything when it
comes to Christmas and we are mindful of the potential supply
disruption at the ports continuing," Hornby said.
The British company, which moved all its manufacturing to
China in 1995, said sales for the five months till August 31
were slightly lower than the previous year, but were in line
with its expectations and business was beginning to return to
pre-pandemic patterns.
It had reported a smaller loss for the year ended March 31.
The outcome over Christmas will determine results for this year.
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(Reporting by Chris Peters and Muvija M in Bengaluru;Editing by
Elaine Hardcastle)
((chris.peters1@thomsonreuters.com; +91 80 6749 6019;))