Electrical contractor T Clarke has grown its order book by almost 30% over the 12 months, the firm said in a trading update after the end of the six-month period to 30 June 2010.
The firm said its business 鈥渃ontinues to trade in line with expectations鈥� and its forward order book stands at 拢220m, compared to 拢170m a year ago.
In its full year results for 2009, T Clarke reported turnover down by 24% to 拢178m and profit reduced by almost half to 拢6.8m.
Earlier in the year, the firm announced the acquisition of Accrington-based D&S Engineering Facilities, and said it intends to serve the north west region from a single division, D&S, in Lancashire. As a result, it will 鈥渨ind down鈥� another smaller operation, J.J. Cross, based in Preston.
T Clarke said it has 鈥渕aintained its positive cash position鈥�, which stood at 拢23.2m at the end of 2009.
The trading statement concluded: 鈥淭he main issue the Group faces is the timing and strength of the recovery in our markets. We operate in highly competitive markets where margins continue to be placed under pressure and the final award of a project in this current climate can be protracted.
鈥淥ur strategy is to focus on existing relationships with clients and contractors whose developments and projects are not affected by current government spending plans, whilst seeking out new and further opportunities in the markets we do not currently fully serve.
鈥淲hilst remaining cautious, our outlook for the remainder of 2010 remains unchanged and the Board continues to be confident in the long term strengths and resilience of the business.鈥�
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