M&E contractor T Clarke has experienced a fall in revenue and profit for the first half of 2010, but forward orders jumped 29%.
The firm described trading conditions as 鈥渃hallenging鈥� for the six months to 30 June.
Revenue was down 8%)to 拢85.7m (H1 2009: 拢93.2m), while profit before tax decreased by 19% to 拢3.2m (H1 2009: 拢4m).
However, the forward order book climbed to 拢220m (30 June 2009: 拢170m).
Contracts won include: London Bridge Station Concourse; Yorkshire Television, Leeds; John Lewis Croydon and Tunbridge Wells; Victoria Station Redevelopment; Ravensbourne College, Greenwich.
Net cash at 30 June 2010 was 拢2.4m, compared to 拢12.6m at 31 December 2010.
T Clarke said it would continue its strategy 鈥渢o broaden the group's activities鈥�, having acquired D&S Engineering Services in March, and .
During the reporting period, the contractor closed its Preston operation, and reorganised into three regional divisions: South, North and Scotland.
In the South, revenue fell by 拢12.1m to 拢49.3m, while operating profit increased by 拢300,000 to 拢3.2m.
The North business grew turnover by 拢4.5m to 拢27.2m, and operating profit was up 拢700,000 to 拢1m.
In Scotland, revenue climbed marginally to 拢9.2m (H1 2009: 拢9.1m), but the operation reported a loss of 拢1.1m, compared to a 拢500,000 profit a year ago.
Chief executive Mark Lawrence said: "I am pleased to report that the Group has maintained its market share in the period and has secured some of the most significant projects available despite a continuing tough and challenging environment.
鈥淭he Board continues to manage and look for new ways to improve the Group businesses through common controls, systems and procedures.
鈥淎ll of us within the business are focused on securing revenues with acceptable levels for 2011 and beyond, but we must remain vigilant both in terms of risk and opportunities.鈥�
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