Skip to main content

Hill & Smith Holdings revenues stable in H1 2013

Hill & Smith Holdings revenues remained stable in the first half of 2013, compared to the same period of 2012. The international group with leading global positions in the manufacture and supply of infrastructure products and galvanising services, posted unaudited revenues of €255.77 million (£221.6 million) in H1 2013, down 1% on the €258.31 million (£223.8 million) recorded in H1 2012. Although further unaudited results showed an 11% fall in underlying operating profit to €23.31 million in the first half
August 6, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Hill & Smith Holdings revenues remained stable in the first half of 2013, compared to the same period of 2012.

The international group with leading global positions in the manufacture and supply of infrastructure products and galvanising services, posted unaudited revenues of €255.77 million (£221.6 million) in H1 2013, down 1% on the €258.31 million (£223.8 million) recorded in H1 2012.

Although further unaudited results showed an 11% fall in underlying operating profit to €23.31 million in the first half of 2013, compared to €26.2 million in H1 2012, underlying profitability from Hill & Smith’s Roads business rose 100% to €6.23 million, compared to €3.11 million in the first half of last year.

Hill & Smith’s Utilities business was unable to replicate its impressive start to 2012 due to, in the group’s view, fewer large projects.

However, the Galvanising business delivered a “robust” performance in H1 2013, with improved profitability in the US.

Net debt of Hill & Smith increased to €118.3 million in H1 2013, compared to €100.18 million as of 31 December 2012, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Medway Galvanising in the UK and completion of the new galvanising plant in Columbus, USA.

Commenting on the H1 2013 unaudited results, Derek Muir, Hill & Smith chief executive, said, “After a slow first quarter, we are now seeing evidence of increased project momentum in infrastructure products and expect a stronger second half (H2 2013), albeit tempered by the reduced pipe supports order book for delivery in 2013.

“In Galvanising, the US remains strong at similar levels to 2012 with continued benefits from operational efficiencies and production from the new plant in Columbus as from April 2013. Whilst the French galvanising market remains challenging, the UK is broadly in line with last year and will benefit from the acquisition of Medway Galvanising, which was completed on 30 April 2013.”

Muir said that although Hill & Smith management retained previous expectations of greater performance gains in the second half of 2013, the full year performance forecast was “marginally below our previous expectations”.

He added, “The board remains confident that, in the medium to long term, our international diversity and market strength will continue to provide the resilience of performance seen in previous years.”

Related Content

  • Caterpillar’s strong financial performance for 2017
    January 26, 2018
    Caterpillar has announced strong fourth-quarter and full-year results for 2017. Sales and revenues in the fourth quarter of 2017 were US$12.9 billion, compared with $9.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016. Fourth-quarter 2017 loss was $2.18/share, compared with a loss of $2/share in the fourth quarter of 2016.
  • Global growth in machine rental
    May 20, 2015
    The machine rental sector is undergoing significant expansion worldwide – Dan Gilkes reports. Plant hire, equipment rental, leasing, call it what you will, being able to use a machine when and where you need it, with no further concerns relating to ownership costs, depreciation or sudden repair bills, remains a compelling argument for many contractors. Which is one of the main reasons for the continued growth in popularity of equipment rental across the world. Rental has been big business in the UK, the US
  • Cummins posts record second-quarter revenues
    August 7, 2023
    Cummins has recorded second-quarter revenues of $8.6 billion
  • Contractor Strabag unveils optimism with new results
    August 30, 2013
    A note of cautious optimism can be seen at the Austrian contractor Strabag, with the release of its half year results. The company saw turnover of € 5.6 billion for the first half of 2013, a drop of 7 % from the same period for the previous year but with some of this fall coming from weather-related issues that delayed the start of construction acitivity. However the company says that the impact of the weather on its performance should be made up by the year end. Strabag is a major contractor and is Central