Construction Ireland Construction Directory
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Share this page
Construction News
27/08/2008

Kingspan Profits Down 20%, Amid US Takeover News

Irish building suppliers group Kingspan has said its pre-tax profits for the first six month of 2008 are down over 20%, on last year’s performance.

The group earned €83.9million in the first half of this year, compared to €108.1m during the same period in 2007.

Turnover dropped 6.5% to €849.4m. Share earnings fell 21%, with the interim dividend value of 8% remaining unchanged.

Group Chief Executive Gene Murtagh said, despite poor market conditions and rising material costs, activity remained "robust".

The firm said it expects these factors to remain a trading challenge, and predicted further decreases in performance for the second half of this year.

However, Kingspan’s business has remained buoyant in North America and strong in western and central Europe, in the face of construction slumps across the UK and Ireland.

-- Advertisement --

Yesterday the group announced a takeover of a US-based pre-fabricated composite panel manufacturer Metecno

The deal was reportedly worth £60m.

The firm is the second largest manufacturer of composite sandwich panels in the US.

During the 12 months leading to June, the firm has amassed a turnover of around £74m.

Group boss Mr Murtagh said: "By combining Metecno with our existing businesses in Canada, Kingspan has developed a very powerful and influential position in the North American market."

Kingspan said the acquisition would be "mildly earnings-enhancing" for the rest of 2008.

Meanwhile, cement giant CRH has announced a 10% fall in pre-tax profits during the first half of this year, amid "difficult trading conditions and a weaker US dollar".

The firm’s profits dropped to €606 million.

Share earnings fell 8% to 85.5%, according to an interim report.

The firm had already predicted similar figures in its early July Interim Trading Statement.

However, there was some positive news, CRH reported a 4% growth in European operating profits of around €20m, bringing totals to €515m.

Chief Executive Liam O’Mahony said: "Following 15 years of consecutive growth and a record performance in 2007, more difficult trading conditions and a weaker US dollar will, as previously indicated, result in a lower outcome for 2008."

Full year performance is expected to replicate conditions previously experienced so far in 2008.

(PR)

Latest Construction News

02/05/2024

BAM is set to bring a prime retail investment opportunity in Cork City centre to the market at a guide price of €1,730,000. The property is situated in the heart of Cork on the west side of South Main Street. It is an integral part of the Brewery Quarter Development, featuring a range of ...
02/05/2024

Lagan Group has marked the end of a long-standing contract that outsourced the operation of wastewater treatment facilities at Kinnegar, Holywood in County Down for the past 25 years. The contract which was undertook through the UK government's Private Finance Initiative (PFI) was awarded back in ...
02/05/2024

SSE Renewables has obtained a fully consented 100MW / 200MWh battery storage project near Dungannon in County Tyrone from Heron Energy. If delivered, the Derrymeen battery energy storage system (BESS) which has an installed capacity of 100MW / 200MW, would be the largest installed battery storage ...
02/05/2024

Martin & Hamilton has completed upgrade and extension works for the new Border Force Immigration facilities at Belfast International Airport. The works involved layout amendments spanning two floors, including the relocation of existing Border Force offices and modifications to the Departures ...
02/05/2024

Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons, has provided an update on the introduction of urgent legislation to address the disparity of legal protection to citizens affected by defective premises. On 15 April 2024, Mr Lyons announced to Members the proposed legislation that he intends to bring ...
02/05/2024

Alliance has called for a comprehensive strategy to speed up the transition from fossil fuels to a fairer, greener society, powered by renewable energy. The party's Economy spokesperson, David Honeyford MLA, has identified the need for reform of the planning system as key to the development of ...
02/05/2024

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has condemned the carbon tax hike on home heating fuels, calling it a "blow" to households that are struggling with high energy costs. The forthcoming tax hike will affect both home heating and gas. In the last three years alone, gas prices ...
02/05/2024

NI Water has been granted a licence to temporarily use Foyle Street Car Park in order to carry out a major wastewater network upgrade in L'Derry this summer. Now the licence and other agreements is in place, NI Water has been able to appoint a contractor who will mobilise to the car park in the ...
02/05/2024

Uisce Éireann has announced that essential works will be carried out on the water network in Clonakilty on Tuesday 7 May and a water outage will take place. The critical improvements are underway as part of Uisce Éireann's Leakage Reduction Programme. They will improve the water supply network in ...
02/05/2024

Kildare County Council has published its new Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) guidelines which is set to benefit the built and natural environment. The Council has begun implementing SuDS design in its Parks projects and is committed to integrating this approach into all future projects. This ...
Materials Market LtdNorthwest Drilling ServicesMaterials Market LtdToner Damp Proofing SuppliesMcHale Plant Sales LtdDavid Grogan Safety TrainingCosy Kingdom LTDFITACAttic Floors & LaddersIFoam Insulation
Terms and Conditions
2024/05/02 22:04:06