Turnover and profits at I&H Brown Ltd soared in an impressive performance by the Perth civil engineering, site remediation and development contractors.
Revenue rose 60% to £54.6 million and pre-tax profit leapt 75% to £2m in the 12 months to August last year.
The previous year revenue went up by only 8% to £34.2m and pre-tax profit plunged 80% to £1.17m.
A year ago managing director Scott Brown said he expected margins to improve with the group order book higher.
His prophecy has been proved correct, and in his report with the 2015 accounts he said the group’s considerable increase in turnover had been achieved at a stable overall gross margin.
There had been considerable growth in the civil engineering and remediation sector accompanied by pressure on resources.
“The group continues to engage in property development and has made continued good progress in promoting sites through the planning system and preparing sites for development,” Mr Brown continued.
“Projects in Fife, East Lothian and Falkirk have progressed and we are pleased to see the housing market showing continued growth.”
Mr Brown said energy developments have made further progress with the successful planning appeal for the windfarm at North Calliachar, near Amulree.
The multi-million-pound seven-turbine project at one of Scotland’s biggest windfarm sites was rejected by councillors in the face of widespread opposition.
Scottish Government ministers upheld I&H Brown’s appeal and ruled that Perth and Kinross Council had acted unreasonably, bowing to public pressure.
The council was ordered to pay the company’s appeal costs.
Mr Scott said the property business Breckenridge Estates continued to trade profitably and there was optimism about its new lettings business.
He added: “The directors are satisfied with the results of the period and are focused on ensuring the civil engineering division maintains profitability.
“The present order book is markedly higher than last year which gives us confidence going forward through 2016.”
With satisfactory working capital at the 186-employee group, he concluded: “We expect our market place to continue to be challenging but with a higher volume of work, we expect margins to improve and good opportunities to arise.”