Runcorn-based workwear and textile firm Johnson Service Group (JSG) on Thursday published an AGM trading statement saying that revenue in the first three months of the year increased 1.4% to £123 million.

Johnson Service Group also announced that in addition to the £90.3 million returned to shareholders through share buybacks since 2022, it intends to launch a further £55 million share buyback programme.

The company’s share rose 5%.

In its outlook, the firm said: “We have a well invested business with a strong balance sheet and a highly cash generative model, allowing us to capitalise on further earnings enhancing opportunities as they arise.

“We have yet to see any material impact of the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, the intensity or duration of which we are unable to predict.  Given what we know currently, we expect any cost consequences in 2026 to be manageable.

“Whilst HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant and Catering) has experienced a slower start to the year in a challenging market environment, we expect normal seasonality to support improved volumes over the summer months.

“The Board continues to expect to deliver another year of progress and margin improvement and, therefore, we remain on track towards achieving our targeted adjusted operating margin of at least 14.0% in 2026.”