Marshalls' vital role in helping to fight terrorism

The Huddersfield-based group launched the range to protect landmarks, government buildings and densely-populated areas from the growing terror threat posed by vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs).

Marshalls worked with the Government's Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure to design the Rhino Guard bollards, which can stop a 7.5-tonne truck travelling at 40mph.

"This is something where the UK is setting a standard which is of interest internationally," said chief executive Graham Holden. "It's a new product and a solution to a problem. In this case it's anti-terrorism."

Launched in June, the group already has inquiries for bollards totalling more than 1m. One of its first orders was for perimeter protection for the London 2012 Olympics media centre.

Finance director Ian Burrell said: "It's a real export opportunity. If you are going to protect an important government building it's certainly worth the transportation costs."

A report yesterday from the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) warned the possibility of terror attacks now "hangs over all major sporting events from the Commonwealth Games in India and the 2012 Olympic Games in London".

It warned large-scale coordinated attacks are being replaced by highly-motivated but poorly trained individuals.

The new bollards are part of Marshalls' strategy of diversifying into markets where it sees the most demand.

Other innovations include packaging its products in an "integrated offer" – including benches, paving, signs and bike racks – providing an all-in-one offer for sectors such as rail.

The group is battling through a tough period as consumer caution continues to dampen demand for big ticket items and public sector spending is squeezed.

However, Marshalls yesterday said pre-tax profits for the first six months of the year almost doubled from 4m a year ago to 7.5m. Sales edged up to 169.8m from 166m.

It saw a turnaround in the domestic garden, DIY and landscape market after a snow-affected first quarter, with a stronger second quarter and "healthy" forward order book.

The freezing conditions cost it about 2m, but after a 29 per cent fall from their peak, domestic order books are now at an "encouraging" 9.1 weeks.

The group also predicted a further small increase in demand from the public sector and commercial market in late 2010 and early 2011, before public sector cuts to begin to bite.

"Inevitably the public (sector) is going to be weaker and it's then a question of whether the commercial picks up the slack," said Mr Holden.

"The question is mid-2011 and what happens then. I've not got a crystal ball. But we've got to a flexible position where we can deal with whatever the market does."

He added the private sector is showing signs of life, with previously mothballed commercial projects, such as Leeds' Trinity Quarter and Eastgate shopping developments, being restarted. Marshalls said it could add another 25 per cent capacity if the market improves, after stripping out costs last year.

Net debt was down 9.2 per cent to 66.7m. Marshalls proposed a flat interim dividend of 1.75p per share.

Analyst Chris Millington at joint house broker Numis said: "Marshalls is a high-quality business with an enviable market position and when demand returns in earnest the operational gearing should lead to a substantial rebound in profit."

Marshalls shares closed up 2.2p at 90.7p

A paving monopoly

From Trafalgar Square to Oxford Street, some of London's best-known landmarks have been given a makeover by Marshalls.

Now the group has launched its own version of the board game Monopoly, featuring streets around the capital which have been paved with its natural stone.

Marshalls has supplied landscaping products across the UK since the 1890s, and the bulk of its stone is mined from the Pennines.

The group can produce more than 200,000 sq metres of Yorkshire paving, or Yorkstone. Employees of the group can see the fruit of their labours on the Monopoly board, which features sites such as Kings Cross Station and Piccadilly.