Once-in-100-year downpours forced compost maker William Sinclair into the red last year as green-fingered enthusiasts stayed out of the garden.
The company said it was hit by heavy rain in 2012, and posted a £403,000 loss during the 12 months ending September 30, compared with a £3.2 million profit in 2011.
Last year was today expected to be declared the wettest on record later by the Met Office, with at least 8000 homes and businesses believed to have been flooded.
New chief executive Bernard Burns admitted the group had been unable to contend with Mother Nature, but added: “William Sinclair is well-placed to take long-term advantage of its technical superiority over its competitors and increasing logistic strengths as the output at the new Ellesmere Port site begins to ramp up and the horticulture market returns to growth.”
Sinclair, best-known for its J Arthur Bowes brand, provides horticultural products to outlets such as B&Q, Homebase and Wilkinson. The shares fell 4p to 114p as the company lowered its total dividend by 27% to 4.5p.
