Irish builders and timber merchant Heiton Group plc has recorded double digit growth in profits and increased earnings by 20% according to its interim results.

Group turnover has grown 9.2% to €245m and operating profit increased by 16% to €14.3m.

Eddie Kelly, managing director of the group’s builders merchants division, said Ireland’s construction industry has begun to slow for the first time in about six years but Heiton did not experience much in the way of change as it had refined its business, putting more emphasis on housing and RMI.

He said: “Timber is an important part of our business – we have 21 builders merchants, a specialist hardwood company and four kitchen component companies.

“Our builders merchants would have 35-40% of turnover coming from timber products while a buoyant RMI sector has kept the panelling business strong.”

&#8220Our builders merchants have 35-40% of turnover coming from timber products while a buoyant RMI sector has kept the panelling business strong.”

Eddie Kelly, Heiton builders merchant division managing director.

Heiton is refurbishing a number of its builders merchants branches to cater for its existing trade business and increase its share of the RMI sector.

Mr Kelly said: “There is a strong emphasis on doors and floors. We have looked at the door market and are trying to find something a bit different from Spain, Portugal and further afield.”

He said Heiton has also benefited from Ireland’s timber frame housing market where it has a “reasonable share” of the second fix and finishing sectors.