After carrying out a strategic review earlier this year, the Sheffield-based group's new management team decided to concentrate on its automotive emissions, industry and energy divisions.

In addition, it vowed to become more market focused in order to benefit from its technological capacities.

In an interim management statement, covering the period from April 1 to August 21, 2008, the company said today: "The re-structuring of Dyson Group is ongoing and has already shown significant progress at various levels within the organisation.

"In addition the strategic review of our property portfolio undertaken by Jones Lang LaSalle is almost complete, with a view to unlocking some of our property value in due course."

The firm said that sales from the thermal technologies division have increased by approximately 12 per cent compared with the prior year, reflecting the market-driven focus on growth areas after the restructuring in previous years.

It added: "As indicated in June, sales in the performance materials division have decreased by approximately six per cent compared with the prior year due to lower automotive Ecoflex sales, however the longer term outlook in this area continues to be encouraging."

Dyson said both the thermal technologies and performance materials divisions were affected by increased energy costs but these had been mitigated to an extent by price increases and cost reduction, resulting in overall performance for the group in terms of profit before tax and debt levels for the year to date being 'satisfactory'.

its distribution division has been affected by the downturn in the housing market with sales 14 per cent lower than the prior year but its Dytech business is progressing well, following the successful setting up of a distributorship in the Middle East where there is a strong market for its products.

The group said talks are ongoing with potential customers regarding the PV Crucibles and it said further updates will be reported at the end of this year.

Patrick Lammers, CEO of Dyson, said: "The re-structuring of the Group following our strategic review announced in June, is progressing well with significant changes already being successfully implemented."