Upholstered furniture manufacturer Buoyant Upholstery has reported a growth in both turnover and profit.

According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 30 September 2021, total sales rose 39.3% to £50.5m from £36.3m in 2020.

UK sales were up 36.4% to £46m from £33.7m, while revenues in its Ireland division also increased by 80% to £4.5m from £2.5m year-on-year.

Gross profit increased from £7.9m to £12.8m, while pre-tax profit rose 116% to £2.6m from £1.2m recorded the previous year.

Stated within its report, the company said that it started the year with a very healthy order book and continued to see strong order intake once retailers were allowed to reopen following the lockdown due to the Covid-10 pandemic.

“The biggest challenges in the financial year have been the availability of labour, due to both Covid and international travel reopening and ongoing price increases on most raw materials,” the company added.

In an effort to combat labour issues, Buoyant opened a training school for sewing, upholstery and frame making, with ‘some success’ achieved. It plans to build on this moving forward.