Plasterboard maker records a 29% increase in pre-tax profits.

Plasterboard manufacturer BPB has increased its pre-tax profits by 29%, up to £287.5m for the year ending 31 March 2005. Turnover for the period rose by 6.7% to £2.3bn.

While European profit rose 12% to £217.6m, the largest growth area was North America, where profits rose 78% to £71.4m, as buoyant housing and renovation sectors boosted the wallboard market.

The company said it was seeing a continuation of positive momentum in sales, and that it was well positioned to build on the record profits in the current year.

BPB chief executive Richard Cousins said: “Against the background of growing demand in key markets and tremendous worldwide potential for BPB's core products, we continue to focus on growing the group profitably through the development of our global leadership in plasterboard and building plasters.

"This sharpened strategy, introduced in 2003/04, resulted in the delivery of a further strong full year performance.”