Fast-growing contractor YJL has boosted pre-tax profit 50% to £1.5m in the six months to 31 March and said more acquisitions are on the way.
Managing director Roger Feast said he was "always on the lookout for takeover targets" as he seeks to expand the London-based firm, which recorded a 37% jump in turnover to £118.7m over the half-year.

YJL bought Allen's construction division this year and last year snapped up three more construction businesses. Group turnover for the full year is set to more than double to £440m, up from £202m for the year to September 2000.

Feast said: "We're growing our business and of course we look at other opportunities but we want to grow profits, not just turnover." Feast said the Allen acquisition was to be finalised this week.

He also said he wanted to boost margins, which currently stand at about 1.5%.

We’re growing our business and of course we look at other opportunities

Roger Feast, managing director, YJL

He said: "Some parts of our businesses are doing better than others but they are all profitable.

There's still a way to go with our margins but they are steady and about right for us at this stage of development."