Contractor, T. Clarke reports 9% increase in turnover and 10% rise in pre-tax profits for first half of 2006

Electrical engineering and contracting company, T. Clarke has reported £4m pre-tax profit, up 10% from the previous year, in the first six-months ending June 2006. Company turnover also increased by as much as 9% to £100.2m.

Chief executive, Pat Stanborough said: "The market has been challenging during the first half of the year. Margins have remained under pressure, but we are positive about the future."

The increase in profit was mainly due to building completions including the DrKW HQ, Nomura House and Chiswick Park Building 5 in London, and Wrigleys in Plymouth.

Stanborough said: “In the build up to the Olympics in 2012, there are many new major infrastructure projects that are planned to start in 2008.

The contractor has also won schemes for the building work on the RBS Aldgate Union and Mizuho Bank in London, Framwell Gate Hotel in Durham, Golden Jubilee Hospital in Glasgow and McMillan Academy in Middlesborough.

Stanborough added: “In light of the positive outlook for the group, we have raised the interim dividend by 5%.”