Profit rose 40% at steelwork contractor Severfield-Rowen during the first half of 2005, with a 17% rise in turnover.

The contractor, which is working on a series of high-profile projects including Heathrow Terminal 5 and the Millennium Dome redevelopment in south-east London, recorded pre-tax profit of 拢7.2m for the six months to 30 June. Turnover rose to 拢112m over the same period.

Peter Levine, Severfield-Rowen chairman, said the group was now ahead of its original expectations for the full year.

He said: 鈥淒emand for our products is encouraging, margins are improving and the growth prospects for the group give the directors every confidence in its future prospects.鈥�

Severfield-Rowen鈥檚 figures were boosted by the performance of Atlas Ward, the shed and portal frames business that the steelwork contractor acquired during the year, which performed ahead of expectations.