Crash repairer AMA Group says its Capital Smart business performed ahead of expectations last financial year, while another key division is midway through an improvement program.

Normalised earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 38.4% to $62.6 million in the year to June 30, while revenue increased 8.6% to $1.01 billion.

The reported net loss was $6.2 million, compared with $6.8 million a year earlier.

MD Ray Smith-Roberts, who took over in April, says Capital Smart’s result reflects improved site efficiency and utilisation, a higher severity and complexity of repairs, and additional capacity from site transitions completed the previous year.

The company says it remains focused on improving its AMA Collision business.

“The recent years have been difficult, and the organisation has taken some very tough but necessary decisions to provide a foundation from which the business can now prosper,” Mr Smith-Roberts says in the annual report.

Chairman Brian Austin says the board continues to explore options for the ACM Parts business.

“The board still believes it is appropriate to identify a new owner for the business as AMA Group focuses on the core business of collision repair. However, we will wait for the appropriate outcome,” he says.

The company expects normalised pre-AASB 16 EBITDA of $70-$75 million this financial year.