Sales Drop for Triumph in 2018

Triumph Motorcycles Limited have recently filed their accounts up to 30 June 2018 and have announced both a financial loss and a drop in motorcycle sales. The number of motorcycles sold in the year up to 30 June 2018 was 59,427 (1,201 less than the previous year) and the operating loss was £11,277,000 due to foreign exchange rates.

That sounds like a lot, but it is only a loss of 2.6% of their turnover and the majority was accounted for by the foreign exchange rates affecting their overseas businesses. The accounts show that Distribution Costs have increased substantially. Triumph sold 84.8% of their machines overseas and the fall in the pound has made that more expensive.

Turnover actually increased in the UK and Europe, but fell in North America and the Rest of the World - though overall it did increase. Triumphs' largest market is Europe (excluding the UK), with North America second, and the Rest of the World third. That said, the UK market is surprisingly large considering that it only covers one country. Triumph paid their staff over £24 million and the 11 directors got £1.4 million between them. They also spent almost £32 million on Research and Development compared to £26 million the previous year.

Figures are taken from the Full Accounts submitted to Companies House on 7th January 2019.