Contractor puts its profitable equipment services arm under strategic review
Interserve has put its equipment services division under strategic review and could sell the profitable arm.
Interserve鈥檚 chief executive Adrian Ringrose (pictured) announced the decision as the contractor posted strong profit and revenue figures in full-year results for the 2015 calendar year.
The firm reported a 28% jump in pre-tax profit to 拢80m, up from 拢62m the previous year.
Revenue was also up, rising 10% to 拢3.2bn from 拢2.9bn in 2014.
Interserve鈥檚 equipment services, international support services and international construction divisions all reported strong profit performances, but the firm鈥檚 UK construction business continued to struggle.
It blamed the 鈥渄ifficult year鈥� on 鈥渋ndustry-wide pricing pressures鈥� and 鈥渟ome specific supply-chain failures鈥� which have significantly impacted three energy from waste projects.
However, the firm said the problem projects were partially offset by strong performances in its building and fit-out divisions, with its UK construction arm breaking even.
Commenting on the results, Ringrose said: 鈥淥ur performance in 2015 was good, resulting in 12 per cent operating profit growth in markets that continue to offer both opportunities and challenges.
鈥淚n light of the changing shape of our portfolio over the last few years, we have started a strategic review of our Equipment Services business (RMD Kwikform).鈥�
He added: 鈥淥verall, we expect 2016 to be broadly steady compared to 2015 as underlying growth is restrained by the impact of a slower order intake following an election year and the impact of the National Living Wage.
鈥淗owever, we expect to return to growth in 2017, underpinned by our strong positions in attractive markets.鈥�
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