Contractor Carillion today reported a 39% rise in pre-tax profits for 2007, following completion of its acquisition of Alfred McAlpine last month.

Pre-tax profits were £94.4M on a revenue of £3.95bn, up from profits of £68.1M on a revenue of £3.5bn in 2006.

The firm's construction profit margin increased by 0.4% on last year's figures while their order book for 2008 remains steady at the same figure as last year - £16bn.

GE19 bridge, part of the Balfour Beatty-Carillion joint venture East London Line project

Carillion Chairman Philip Rogerson said: "2007 was another strong year for Carillion. The Group delivered record profits and continued its strategic development to support sustainable profitable growth."

Rogerson added that he expected last month's £561M acquisition of Alfred McAlpine to further boost Carillion's growth.

"The acquisition of Alfred McAlpine in February 2008 has further strengthened Carillion's position as a leading support services and integrated solutions business," he said.

"The Board expects the Group to make further strong progress in 2008 and deliver materially enhanced earnings in 2009."

Source : NCE