Simons turnover jumps 34%

Simons Construction enjoyed a 34% jump in turnover last year to £220m. It delivered a pre-tax profit of £3.3m, representing a profit margin of 1.5%.

Simons Group had a total turnover figure (12 months to 31 March 2007) of £260m. The balance of turnover came from its two other operations: developments and design.

These two might be small compared with Simons' construction operation, but they punched well above their weight, delivering the bulk of the group's total £8.3m pre-tax profit.

Simons Construction's strategy continues to be focused on repeat business negotiated with key customers. They now make up 83% of total construction activity.

The key area of growth was retail and distribution partnering for the group's own development operation, as well as for WalMart.

The group's exit from local building works continued with the sale of the trades-based electrical and plumbing operations, closure of operations in Grimsby and Hull, and the end of the subsidiary Wrights Construction (Lincoln).