Keller Group builds record profits despite inflationary headwinds
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Keller Group have reported record earnings for the first six months of trading this year, despite inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions.
The construction specialist revealed first-half underlying operating profits of £49.6m – up 19 per cent – driven by growth and active management of materials and labour availability in challenging economic headwinds.
This comes alongside revenue of £1,34bn – a 31 per cent increase on a constant currency basis – as trading activity recovered following the impacts of COVID-19
The company has also reported a record order book of £1.6bn at the end of June, underpinning future performance
This follows a number of recent contract awards and prospects in the energy and infrastructure sectors, including increased LNG activity where Keller has both a well-established presence and an excellent reputation
Meanwhile, interim dividend increased by five per cent to 13.2p, continuing the dividend policy of long-term progression, and building on the group’s uninterrupted record of maintaining or increasing the dividend since flotation in 1994.
The board is also reviewing a further increase to the final dividend
Chief executive Michael Speakman said:. We remain very confident in the Group’s strategy and long-term prospects, which is reflected in the Board’s decision to recommence the progressive dividend policy with a 5% increase in the interim dividend for the first half of 2022.”