Revenue has passed the £100m mark at Deeside-headquartered clothing distributor Ralawise, boosted by a 40 per cent increase in sales to the European Union and a full year of operation from its new distribution centre.

The company is an online distributor of retail and consumer clothing, leisurewear, workwear and related products.

According to recently filed accounts, turnover rose to £104.8m in the year ending 31 December 2015, up from £89.7m in 2014. Pre-tax profit increased to £7.36m from £6.94m.

The average monthly number of employees grew to 456 from 399 the previous year.

During 2014, the company opened a 110,000 sq ft distribution centre. It said the 2015 results had been boosted by a full year of operation.

In the report accompanying the results, director Jeff Batson said the facility had "provided the capacity growth required to support the ongoing expansion of the group's activities in terms of sales, brand coverage, stockholding and customer service, in both the UK and Europe".

The business, which trades in more than 50 counties worldwide, also reported a 40 per cent increase in sales to the European Union to more than £18m.

"The group has continued its strategy of increasing exports into European Markets both by increasing direct sales and by setting up new operations on the continent," Batson said in the company's accounts.

During the year, Ralawise acquired the remaining interest in a German distribution company, having previously taken an initial 50 per cent stake in 2014.

"Overall, considerable achievements have been made and further steps taken towards achieving our vision of being the European market leader for the B2B.com (business to business) distribution of retail and consumer clothing, leisurewear, workwear and related products," the director said.

Ralawise was founded in the 1980s by members of the Batson family, who still own the business. It works with more than 100 brands, including the likes of Adidas, American Apparel and Nike.

Read more at insidermedia.com