Lower costs allow firm to lift operating profits

A NORTH East manufacturer of specialised parts for car batteries says lower raw material and energy costs has helped it boost operating profits.

- TOM KEIGHLEY Business writer

Entek International makes polyethylene separators used in the production of lead acid batteries by customers around the world. New accounts for the Cramlington-based firm, which is US owned and has sister sites in India, China and Japan, show it doubled operating profit to £4.1m in 2024, while turnover was broadly flat at £48.4m.

The documents show Entek's sales were up 11% during the year thanks to sales to South America, which were previously serviced by a US sister company. Despite the uplift, Entek said price reductions and Sterling depreciation against the Euro meant sales value was largely inline with the previous year.