The director presents the strategic report for the period ended 31 December 2025.
PBP 24 Limited commenced trading in April 2025 and is a member of the Marblegrange Group. The business previously operated as part of Preston Board & Packaging Limited; however, during 2025 the Preston and Romiley operations were separated into distinct trading companies in order to provide greater operational focus, accountability and strategic flexibility.
The company’s principal activity is the sale and distribution of board and packaging products to customers throughout the United Kingdom. As this is the company’s first financial period following incorporation and commencement of trade, the results reflect approximately nine months of trading activity.
The director monitors several key performance indicators, with particular emphasis on turnover and gross profit margin, as these measures provide a clear indication of market demand, pricing conditions and operational performance.
Trading conditions during 2025 were challenging across the UK paper and board sector. Significant material oversupply within European markets resulted in increased imports into the UK, creating substantial downward pressure on selling prices. These conditions affected demand levels and reduced achievable market prices throughout the period.
In response, the company implemented a range of commercial and operational measures, including selective price reductions, cost-saving initiatives and a review of product and customer profitability. In certain cases, the company withdrew from market segments that no longer met required commercial returns. Despite these challenging conditions, the company continued to invest in its operations, including additional machinery and a new automated storage facility designed to improve efficiency, increase capacity, broaden the product range and support diversification into new customer sectors.
Management has remained focused on developing future growth opportunities and, subsequent to the year end, has secured new business in additional markets while continuing to support the requirements of its established customer base.
Turnover for the period was £15,130,000. The result reflects reduced overall demand in the UK market together with lower average selling prices arising from European oversupply. Gross margin was 25% reflecting the difficult pricing environment and the company’s strategy of passing through competitive market pricing to customers wherever necessary.
The company continues to monitor costs closely, rationalise its cost base and secure fixed-price arrangements where commercially appropriate. The price and availability of raw materials and energy remain significant factors affecting the industry. Market prices fluctuated considerably during the period, and continuing uncertainty within the paper import market contributed further to price reductions.
As a result of the factors described above, the company reported a profit after taxation for the period of £1,229,000. Given that this represents the company’s first trading period and a challenging market backdrop, the director considers the result to be a reasonable performance and believes that the investments made during the year provide a stronger platform for future growth.
European trade risk
Management believes that the availability and pricing of board materials represent one of the company’s principal commercial risks. European board mills have continued to increase sales volumes into the UK market, resulting in heightened competition and downward pressure on domestic board prices. The company mitigates this risk through careful production planning, active stock management, diversification of supply sources and ongoing review of market conditions.
Legislative and regulatory risk
The director remains alert to the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the company’s operations. Environmental matters, including greenhouse gas emissions, waste management obligations and the transition towards Net Zero, have been identified as the principal risks in this area. Compliance requirements are monitored continuously, and the potential operational and financial implications are considered as part of the company’s strategic planning process.
Foreign currency risk
Although the company has no operations outside the United Kingdom, it purchases and sells certain goods and services denominated in currencies other than sterling. Consequently, movements in exchange rates can affect the sterling value of purchases, revenues, financial assets, liabilities and cash flows.
The company’s exposure arises from transactional sales and purchases in foreign currencies. It is the company’s policy not to enter into forward foreign exchange contracts, and exposures are managed through operational controls and regular monitoring of currency movements.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is managed through careful control of cash generation, working capital and debtor collections. Cash flow forecasts are reviewed regularly, and cash collection targets are monitored closely. The company’s funding is provided through group resources, and the business is not reliant on external bank borrowing for its ongoing operations.
Price risk
The company is exposed to changes in market prices for board, paper and related raw materials. It does not enter into swap, option or other derivative financial instruments, and no trading in derivative financial instruments was undertaken during the period.
During the period the company continued to invest in its board recycling activities in order to improve operational capability and support expansion into new markets. The director believes that recycling and value-added processing activities provide attractive long-term growth opportunities and strengthen the company’s competitive position.
The investments undertaken during the year, together with the operational restructuring of the business, are expected to support improved efficiency, broader market reach and enhanced customer service in future periods.
Future developments
The company continues to analyse market trends and customer requirements in order to identify additional growth opportunities and diversify its customer base. As part of this strategy, a third operational unit has been opened in Glasgow. The new facility is expected to increase geographical coverage, improve service capability in Scotland and support further expansion into new markets and product sectors.
The director remains focused on developing sustainable long-term growth through investment in people, facilities, technology and operational efficiency.
On behalf of the board
The director presents his annual report and financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2025.
The results for the period are set out on page 9.
The director who held office during the period and up to the date of signature of the financial statements was as follows:
were appointed as auditor to the company and in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution proposing that they be re-appointed will be put at a General Meeting.
Company law requires the director to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the director has elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law, the director must not approve the financial statements unless he is satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the director is required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The director is responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. He is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
We have audited the financial statements of PBP 24 Limited (the 'company') for the period ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, the statement of changes in equity and notes to the financial statements, including material accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for opinion
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the director's use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the director with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the strategic report and the director's report for the financial period for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the strategic report and the director's report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the director's report.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below:
Enquiries with management about any known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;
Enquires with management about any known or suspected instances of fraud;
Auditing the risk of fraud in revenue by testing a sample of transactions throughout the year, to ensure they have been recorded within the accounts;
Examination of journal entries and other adjustments to test for appropriateness and identify any instances of management override of controls; and
Review of legal and professional expenditure to identify any evidence of ongoing litigation or enquiries.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company's member in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's member those matters we are required to state to the member in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's member, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
PBP 24 Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Arkwright Mill, Greenbank Street, Preston, PR1 7JS.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
This company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements:
Section 4 ‘Statement of Financial Position’ – Reconciliation of the opening and closing number of shares;
Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’ – Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;
Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues’ – Carrying amounts, interest income/expense and net gains/losses for each category of financial instrument; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;
Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’ – Compensation for key management personnel.
The financial statements of the parent company are consolidated in the financial statements of Marblegrange Limited which are available from Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff CF14 3UZ.
The directors have considered the impact of the principal risks and uncertainties on the business going forward. At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to profit or loss.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.
Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the company has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the director is required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The useful economic life of tangible fixed assets is judged at the point of purchase and reviewed at each balance sheet date. Further details are provided within note 1.5 to the financial statements. Freehold land is not depreciated.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the period was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The actual charge for the period can be reconciled to the expected charge/(credit) for the period based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the company and movements thereon:
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund.
On 1 January 2026, PBP 24 Limited transferred the trade and assets of the Glasgow branch to PrestonPak Limited.