Industrial Holding group DCC has made a strong start to the current year, according to its chief executive, Mr Jim Flavin. The group reported a 27 per cent rise in pre-tax profits last month. The group is involved in healthcare, computers energy and food sectors. Mr Flavin said DCC Sercom, DCC Healthcare and DCC Foods had all achieved strong growth. He told shareholders at the company's annual general meeting in Dublin yesterday that DCC Energy's liquid petroleum gas operations were being affected by substantial product cost rises.

Last month DCC reported pre-tax profits of £46.6 million (€59.2 million).