Half yearly report
Key points:
· Continued strong trading, +5% organic revenue growth; underlying operating margin +120bps to 11.3%
· 82% of revenue and 92% of underlying operating profit generated from UK and US operations, where infrastructure investment and economic outlook remain favourable
· Underlying operating profit up 17% to £26.3m:
- Roads up 35%, driven primarily by the UK Government's 'Road Investment Strategy' with its focus on managed motorways, which are at the core of the Group's product offering
- Utilities up 13%, reflecting strong performance in the UK offsetting weaker pipe supports performance
- Galvanizing up 10% as a result of exceptional growth in US infrastructure volumes
· Further net debt reduction to £89.2m (2014: £98.5m); Net Debt:EBITDA multiple of 1.3 times (31 December 2014: 1.5 times)
· Interim dividend increased by 11% to 7.1p