CRH boosts profit by 19% to £1.45bn

Irish building materials group CRH has posted turnover growth of 12% to £16bn (€21bn) for the year ended 31 December 2007.

Pre-tax profit was £1.45bn (€1.9bn), up 19% from the figure in the previous year.

Liam O’Mahony, chief executive, said: “CRH’s geographic, sectoral and product balance continued to deliver in 2007 both in terms of overall trading performance and acquisition activity.

“While developments over recent months have added to economic uncertainties, CRH is well positioned across its operations to deal with the evolving market circumstances.”