Contractor鈥檚 pre-tax profit down 48% - turnover up 8% to 拢1.11bn

Contractor Vinci has seen a fall in UK pre-tax profit of 48% over the past year, although turnover for the firm was up 8% to 拢1.11bn.

Posting its results for the year to 31 December 2011, Vinci PLC, the UK arm of the French construction firm, said it had achieved turnover of 拢1.11 billion for 2011 - an 8% increase on 2010 - which it said was a result of 鈥済rowth in existing activities鈥.

The firm said this mainly comprised growth in the firm鈥檚 Taylor Woodrow Division in civil engineering; strengthening its market share in its building division; as well as a 鈥渟olid performance鈥 over the year by its facilities business.

The firm said its order book over the year reached an all time high of 拢1.3bn, while activity in its building division was up to 拢588m from 拢545m in 2010, with health, education and retail together contributing over 75% of its contract wins in 2011.

However the results showed pre-tax profit almost halved, down 48% from 拢39m in 2010 to 拢19.8m last year.

The firm said this represented a 鈥済ood performance in the continuing difficult market conditions鈥.

John Stanion, Vinci chief executive said: 鈥淚n the current difficult economic climate, these are encouraging results, we are confident that the combination of our financial strength, market leading positions and our company heritage will ensure our continuing success in 2012 and beyond.鈥

The firm said it had net cash generation of 拢3m over the year, after PFI investments of 拢15m and dividends paid of 拢5m, and had increased cash balances at the year end to 拢156m - up from 拢150m in 2010.