Diversification boosts profits

ROBERTSON Group, the Elgin-based construction company, yesterday posted a surge in profits as it branches out from its traditional house-building areas to focus on infrastructure and facilities management.

The family-owned builder has undergone a major restructuring over the past two years, rolling all of its subsidiaries into the main group accounts.

Pre-tax profits jumped to £6.5 million in the year to 4 April from £2.7 million in the 16 months to 31 March, 2010, on the back of a 5 per cent rise in turnover to £205m on a pro-rata basis.

Chairman Bill Robertson, who founded the group in 1966, said: “There is no doubt it’s been a challenging year, but one in which we have made significant strategic progress.”

The firm continues to build fewer houses to match market demand, but said it is insulated from short-term volatility by its diversification, including its investments in 63 schools and 11 hospitals across the UK through public-private partnerships.

Its construction arm signed several deals, including the £80m Aberdeen emergency care centre and a £42m whisky warehouse refit for Chivas Brothers.