End of year results

"DESPITE last year’s poor weather conditions and substantial increases in energy costs, Aggregate Industries achieved another record 12 months, reporting a pre-tax profit of £108.9 million for the year ended 31 December, a 13% increase over 1999. Turnover was up 22% to £1.14 billion, with £496.3 million being generated in the UK and £643.1 million in the US."

"Ennstone plc reported a year of considerable progress, with pre-tax profit up 23.8% to £4.7 million on a turnover up 35.5% to £52.9 million. Breedon plc, acquired last June for £50 million, contributed significantly to profits and boosted Ennstone’s mineral reserves by around 41 million tonnes to over 200 million tonnes."

"Hanson plc unveiled full-year profits slightly ahead of expectations in spite of difficult trading conditions in some areas, with pre-tax profit up 1.2% to £318.2 million on a turnover of £3.41 billion. Hanson Quarry Products Europe, to which the UK contributes 80% of revenue, made a trading profit of £89.8 million (1999: £85.2 million) on turnover of £990.6 million (£607.7 million). Hanson say £30 million of annualized synergy benefits are now in place following their £1.54 billion acquisition of Pioneer last April."

"Last year proved very successful for Lafarge, with net earnings up 18% to Euro 726 million (£455 million) and sales up 16% to Euro 12.2 billion (£7.61 billion). Operating income rose 17% to Euro 1.90 billion (£1.18 billion), with the Aggregates & Concrete Division’s contribution up 24% to Euro 309 million (£192.5 million) on sales up 16% to Euro 3.7 billion (£2.3 billion). Lafarge’s £3.1 billion takeover of Blue Circle is expected to reach completion this summer. Blue Circle themselves performed strongly last year, with their final set of results as an independent company showing pre-tax profit up 20% to £325.4 million."

"RMC said the unprecedented wet autumn in the UK and other parts of Europe as well as declining activity in western Germany and the effect of higher energy prices all contributed to difficult trading conditions, particularly in the second half of 2000. For the year ended 31 December, pre-tax profit fell 31% to £208.3 million on a turnover up 14.8% to £5.4 billion. This year RMC expect to benefit progressively from forecast Rugby synergies of £30 million."