A SPECIALIST building firm from Tyrone has seen pre-tax profits rise in its most recent set of accounts.
Western Building Systems, which operates throughout the UK and Ireland, said whilst turnover for the 12 month period to April had dropped from £37.2m to £34m its pre-tax profits had increased from £4.15m to £4.32m.
The off-site construction specialist, which provides buildings primarily for the education, health and commercial sectors across Britain and Ireland, saw direct employment rise during the same period from 45 to 54. Its net asset position also rose slightly from £11m to £11.4m.
The directors described the company performance for the year as 'satisfactory, set against a background of increased competition and reduced margins.'
They added the outlook for the 2018/19 financial year is 'encouraging' and expected to be in line with 2017/2018.
The company was established in 1982 by Martin McCloskey as Western Roofing, but which has since diversified and expanded.
Meanwhile InfraStrata, the UK quoted company focused on the development of natural gas storage capacity, has issued ani nvitation to tender (ITT) for its Islandmagee gas storage project in order to appoint an engineering, procurement and construction contractor for construction of the project.
The issuing of the tender,which is open until February 28, follows on from the recent completion of the front end engineering design and the invitation for expressions of interest in construction of phase one of the project which was issued in September.
The ITT includes a package for all surface, sub-surface and integration works required to develop the project.
