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Defensive strategy pays off for Vp

28 Nov 12 Construction equipment rental group Vp has reported increased profit and revenue for the first half of its financial year, thanks to what its chairman describes as a 'defensive stance'.

Vp’s interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2012 show profit before tax and amortisation up 6% to £11.0m (H1 2012: £10.4m).Ìý Revenues of £84.0m were 2% ahead of last year (H1 2012: £82.7m).

During the six months, the company invested £12.6m in its equipment fleet.

Chairman Jeremy Pilkington said: "The group has delivered another extremely positive set of results despite continued unsettled market conditions.Ìý The strength of these figures highlight the benefit of Vp's well established strategy of focusing on specialist sectors where the Group enjoys strong market positions.Ìý We have continued to invest in our people, systems and fleet to ensure sustainable performance over the medium and long term."Ìý

Every business except Airpac Bukom, held or improved profits in the period.Ìý Profit margins rose to 13.0% (H1 2012: 12.5%)

Airpac Bukom saw a reduction in profits to £1.3m (2011: £2.0m) on revenues down by a similar amount to £9.6m.Ìý “Given the sporadic nature of LNG projects, these interruptions are unavoidable,â€� Mr Pilkington said.

Groundforce profits rose 19% to £4.1m on revenues up 11% to £18.2m.

UK Forks reported unchanged profits of £1.0m on revenues ahead at £7.0m (2011: £6.4m). UK Forks includes the plant business acquired from Balfour Beatty in July 2012, which has now been integrated and is trading in line with expectations, the company said.ÌýÌý

Torrent Trackside posted an 18% improvement in profits at £1.7m on turnover ahead 4% at £10.5m.

TPA reported a 15% improvement in profit at £2.5m on a reduced revenue base of £9.5m (2011: £10.5m).

Hire Station profits were up 17% to £1.7m on revenues unchanged at £29m.

Mr Pilkington added: “We have for some time felt that the prospects of a general uplift in UK market activity supporting business growth was unlikely to be forthcoming. We have therefore adopted a relatively defensive stance in terms of protecting the balance sheet strength of the business whilst, where we have felt circumstances justified it, being bold enough to move on specific opportunities.Ìý Throughout, the group has continued to invest in our people, systems and fleet to ensure sustainable performance over the medium and long term.â€�

Vp results by segment

Revenue

Ìý

Operating Profit

Ìý

Sept 2012

Ìý

Sept 2011

Ìý

Sept 2012

Sept 2011

Ìý Ìý Ìý

Restated

Ìý Ìý Ìý
Ìý

£000

Ìý

£000

Ìý

£000

£000

Groundforce

18,197

Ìý

16,461

Ìý

4,123

3,453

UK Forks

7,022

Ìý

6,446

Ìý

957

1,014

Airpac Bukom

9,560

Ìý

10,269

Ìý

1,315

2,048

Torrent Trackside

10,452

Ìý

10,007

Ìý

1,709

1,447

TPA

9,518

Ìý

10,471

Ìý

2,529

2,205

Hire Station

29,272

Ìý

29,093

Ìý

1,698

1,457

Ìý

84,021

Ìý

82,747

Ìý

12,331

11,624

Amortisation

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý

(422)

(317)

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý

11,909

11,307

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