For the six months to 30 June 2013, TClarke made an 拢800,000 pre-tax profit on 拢114.7m revenue. This compares to 拢500,000 from 拢90.7m revenue for the same period last year.
The pre-tax profit margin improved from 0.5% to 0.7%, although the underlying operating margin reduced from 1.7% to 1%.
The company said that it was 鈥渇rustrating鈥� that opportunities were taking longer to convert into firm orders.
Chief executive Mark Lawrence said: "The group has performed well, delivering a profitable half year, despite the continuing challenges in our markets. The forward order book has been maintained at 拢225m and we have improved the visibility of our workload, with some projects extending into 2015 and beyond.
鈥淐ompetition remains fierce, yet we remain focused on choosing carefully which projects we tender for. Our cash position is solid and we ended the half year with an increased balance of 拢7.8m.
鈥淟ooking forward, there are signs of increased client activity especially in London, although this has yet to translate into improved margins."
TClarke operates from three regional bases, South, North and Scotland. Revenue from the South was up strongly to 拢91.3m (2012: 拢60.7m) but last year鈥檚 拢200,000 half-year profit was wiped out this time and the business only broke even.
TClarke Scotland also only managed to break even, on reduced revenue of 拢6.4m (2012: 拢6.8m).
Revenue in the North decreased by 拢6.2m to 拢17.0m (2012: 拢23.2m), but operating profit increased from 拢600,000 last time to 拢900,000.
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