A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Siteserv first-half profits fall 78%

First-half profits at support services group Siteserv fell 78 per cent to €500,000, as reduced Government and local authority spending hits its infrastructure division.

However Siteserv’s UK division, which accounts for 56 per cent of group revenue, showed “encouraging signs of growth” in the six months to October 31st. UK revenues rose to €47.3 million, from €40.4 million a year earlier, boosted by a robust performance in its equipment hire and sale business.

This helped to push up total group revenues for the first half by 3 per cent to €84.5 million.

Thoroughbred genetic test launched

Irish research spin-out Equinome has launched its thoroughbred genetic testing service in Australia, writes Dick Ahlstrom. The company’s product shows whether a horse has a particular gene that can predict the ideal racing distance for the animal.

Yesterday’s launch took place in Sydney at the Irish consul general Caitríona Ingoldsby’s home. Organised with the help of Enterprise Ireland it attracted a number of Australia’s leading bloodstock breeders.

Ghana celebrates first oil production from Tullow field

Ghana joined the ranks of African oil exporters yesterday as it celebrated first oil from Tullow Oil’s Jubilee field.

The site is located about 60km offshore Ghana and is expected to increase its production to 120,000 barrels of oil per day, making Ghana sub-Saharan Africa’s seventh largest producer, with new wells set to be completed over the next three to six months. Tullow said the first tanker of oil from the field is expected to be exported in January.

The company and its partners, Anadarko Peroleum, Kosmos Energy, GNPC, Sabre Oil and Gas and EO Group, expect to double production within three years.

Tullow’s chief executive Aidan Heavey said history was being made.

Global advert plan for William Grant

Scottish spirits group William Grant has appointed McCann Erickson to lead an integrated global advertising campaign for its Tullamore Dew whiskey brand, which it acquired from CC in July.

Four international ad agencies pitched for the work, which will involve a multi-million euro advertising campaign in 2011.

Tullamore Dew is the second-biggest selling Irish whiskey, shifting 650,000 cases a year. This puts its behind Jameson, which is owned by Irish Distillers. The new campaign will focus on its growing presence in France, Britain and US.