Marshalls reports good growth in H1 2017 profit

3071 Marshalls, a leading UK concrete paving manufacturer, saw a healthy 16% rise in its pre-tax profit to £29.1 million for the six months to June 30 2017, up from £25.1mn a year earlier, as revenue rose 8% to £219mn.

The FTSE 250-listed group said sales to the public and commercial end-markets remained the biggest contributor, accounting for 60% of total sales, up 3% in the analysed trading period.

It stated that the group’s International business was the smallest contributor, reflecting 6% of total sales, but saw the highest rate of growth at 25%, boosted by sales in the Middle East coming from Marshalls' new sales office in Dubai.

Marshalls’ chief executive, Martyn Coffey, said: "The group continues to invest in product innovation and service delivery initiatives and is well placed to drive through further sustainable improvements in operational efficiency gains.

"The group's focus remains the delivery of the growth initiatives set out in the 2020 Strategy, whilst maintaining a strong balance sheet and a flexible capital structure. The board remains confident of achieving its expectations for 2017.”