Seeka Kiwifruit Industries Limited has announced an audited profit after tax of$4.27m, for the year ending December 31, 2015.

This is well above its guidance range of between $2.96m and $3.53m. The after tax profit was up 34.8 per cent on the previous year's result of $3.17m.

Seeka's profit is up on the previous financial year.

Seeka chief executive Michael Franks says the company has proactively taken steps to support its growers following the fire last year at its Te Puke Oakside facility, and subsequent fruit quality issues.

'We're very pleased to be able to report our third consecutive year of improving results, especially after our challenging year following the fire.”

The company announced a fully imputed dividend of$0.10 per share, which will be paid on March 24 to all shareholders on the register at 5pm, March 18.

That brings the total dividend for the year to $0.19, compared to $0.16 for the previous corresponding period. The company's dividend reinvestment plan will apply to the dividend, with a strike price of$3.76 per share.

Financial Highlights for the year include:

$142.11m in total revenue, up 22.9 per cent

$13.39m EBITDA up 23.4 per cent

$5.25m profit before tax up 23.0 per cent

$0.29 earnings per share up 31.8 per cent

Asset backing at December 31, totalled $4.34, up 6.6 per cent.

Total assets at December 3, were$164m, an increaseof50 per cent reflecting Seeka's acquisition of Bunbartha Fruit Packers Pty Ltd in Australia.

One-off items included $1.12m expensed for transaction and duty costs related to the Australian purchase. They also included a net $0.32m in costs related to the Oakside fire.

Seeka paid its growers $4.04m to ensure they had sufficient income and cashflow while they worked through the insurance claim process. Seeka also wrote off$1.74m in fire-impaired assets.

The company has also recorded insurance proceeds of$5.46m, resulting in the net $0.32m in fire-related costs during the period.

The insurance claim remains in process and any further recovery will be recorded as income when settled.

Michael says profitability continues to improve, with Seeka's packed volumes increasing to 27.8m trays, compared to21.4 million trays in the previous corresponding period.

'Seeka has a clear strategy and is focused on delivering superior returns to its growers and continuing to grow the company, both in terms of profitability and size. And we are very appreciative of the hardwork and support of our employees and others associated with the company throughout the year.”

Seeka chief financial officer Stuart McKinstry says the company is currently positioning itself ahead of the Australian and New Zealand kiwifruit harvests, with the Australian pear harvest nearing completion.

Major capital construction builds are underway at KKP in Maketu, Main Road Katikati, and a significant improvement to the fruit grader at the Australian kiwifruit packhouse, he says.