Engineered timber specialist Palgrave Brown says its aggressive business growth has paid dividends with a 15% increase in annual trading profits and a doubling of turnover from the past three years.

Turnover rose from £25m in 1998/99 to £54.4m in the year ending March 31 2002, while trading profits increased £400,000 in the last year.

The company says the results reflect a consistent increase in demand and output across its trading operations, including a 28% rise in roof truss sales.

Palgrave Brown financial director Neil Ward said: “We’ve been extremely active over the last three years. Our focus was firmly on improving customer service and expanding our business base, and in the last year we’ve worked hard to integrate the business functions for future growth.”

Palgrave Brown has consolidated its business over the past year to maximise operational effectiveness and performance, with £2m investment made as part of its aim to develop into a £100m company.

&#8220We’ve been extremely active over the last three years. Our focus was firmly on improving customer service and expanding our business base, and in the last year we’ve worked hard to integrate business functions for future growth.”

Palgrave Brown financial director Neil Ward

A roof truss manufacturing site started production at Doncaster in April (TTJ February 23), new presses and equipment were installed at the truss plants, and design centres opened at Brinscall and Bury St Edmunds to complement the Thornbury facility.

Ongoing investment is being made in computer equipment and technology to enhance communications between sites, while MDF manufacturing capacity has been expanded with a £300,000 moulder to increase moulding production.

At Allan Brothers, the company’s doors and windows division, a new management team has contributed towards improvements in efficiencies and a sales growth in doors manufactured at Castleford.