Global growth ambitions for Interbulk

Interbulk chief executive Koert van Wissen today vowed to press ahead with global expansion plans after the eurozone debt crisis dented the East Kilbride-based haulage firm’s sales in the year to 30 September.

The company, in which Clyde Blowers tycoon Jim McColl holds a stake, is targeting China, the Middle East and Russia with its overseas strategy.

Van Wissen also told The Scotsman: “Europe will always be important to us because it’s where we’re based. But we’ve used containers that weren’t being used in Europe to expand in South America and that expansion will continue.”

Turnover at Interbulk dipped by 7 per cent to £280.4 million, while pre-tax profits fell by 9 per cent to £4.9m after the firm continued to pay down its borrowings. Net debt decreased to £72.5m from £83.9m