Pochin unveils record £3.6 million profit

Pochin has announced a record pre-tax profit of £3.6 million (£2.7 million) for the year to 31 May 1998. Turnover of £57 million (£48 million) was also a best-ever.

Nicholas Pochin, chairman, said: "Building strong, long-term relationships with both public and private sector clients gives us a solid base, with significant repeat business, particularly in the design and build sector.

"During the second half of the year we were able to take advantage of the healthy climate for industrial and commercial development, resulting in the sale of a number of properties which contributed to our results."

Turning to joint ventures, Pochin said: "These schemes take a considerable investment in time and effort to bring to fruition."

The group's mobile concrete pumping division was assessing opportunities in both Dubai and Eire, while business in the UK was satisfactory, despite the scarcity of major civil engineering projects.

Poplar 2000 Services, just off the M56 at Lymm, Cheshire, returned a "creditable" result. Cheshire Concrete Products recovered from trading difficulties imposed by its move from Sandbach to Middlewich.