Irish building materials group Kingspan posted a 55 per cent rise in its half-yearly pre-tax profit today.
Pre-tax profit for the six months to the end of June increased to €62.4 million, up from €40.4 million a year earlier, and turnover increased 32 per cent to more than €580 million.
The company said a continued move towards energy efficient products, modern methods of construction and environmental solutions were the main drivers of growth for the six months.
Earnings per share rose to 30.7 cent, a 55 per cent increase from 19.7 cent in the same period in 2004.
Kingspan saw a strong underlying performance before acquisitions throughout the first half of the year, with sales up 20 per cent.
The group forecast a "satisfactory outcome" for the full year, with a robust Irish market and improving markets in the United States and central Europe.