Keller on track as profit rises

Keller, the global ground engineering group, is back on an even keel after financial hiccups knocked a £14m hole in its 2003 results.
Latest financial figures covering the 12 months to 31 December 2004 show pre-tax profit at £30m as turnover touched £600m, a rise of £25m.
In the UK, turnover was 4% higher at £110m.
Makers, the concrete refurbishment business and one of Keller's UK operations, was largely responsible for the group's financial upheaval in 2003. Keller sold the Makers' specialist stone masonry business, AJ Woods, in October 2004 to Mowlem, as it was viewed as being non-core.
Makers returned to profit in the second half of 2004 and reported a small profit for the year. This compared with an operating loss of £900,000 in 2003, plus a £7m goodwill write-off charge and a further £1.5m to cover the cost of office closures.