Paving the way for better times after cold start

PAVING slabs specialist Marshalls reports half-year figures on Friday after sliding sales during a period hit by freezing weather.

The Huddersfield-based business revealed last month that revenues for the six months to the end of June were down four per cent to £163m after trading suffered amid the coldest March in more than 100 years.

But it said customer sentiment and orders increased in May and June, adding to hopes for an upturn in prospects, while cost reduction measures instigated last year, were delivering positive results.

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The sales slide was not as bad as the seven per cent fall over 2012.

Marshalls has endured a difficult recent history, slumping into the red with pre-tax losses of £11.2m in the last full-year after a rain-soaked period that saw the company axe hundreds of staff and shut one of its plants.

In the first half of this year, sales to the domestic market, which represent 32 per cent of group revenues, were down three per cent while takings from the public sector and commercial market were down six per cent. But international sales saw a 12 per cent increase meaning they now represent five per cent of business.

During the half, Marshalls also sold four quarries for £17.5m to Derby-based Breedon Aggregates, saying they were not part of core operations.

Analysts are optimistic about the future, with a forecast for full-year pre-tax profits of £12.7m.