First half pre-tax profit before exceptional items rose by 18% to £48.4million, from £41.0million in the same period of last year. Revenue rose by 2% to £495.9million.
The Group, which used to be known as Davis Service, operates in 15 countries and its main brands are Berendsen, Sunlight and Spring Grove. Last November the group introduced a strategic review and its half-year report, issued in August, said this was progressing well.
The company has also renegotiated its revolving credit facilities with a new Euro535 million facility extending to July 2016.
The group’s textile maintenance businesses in UK and Ireland produced revenue of £167.6million, a rise of 3% on £162.3million in 2010.
Its hotel linen business continued to grow but there was some slowing in the first half, following the good growth seen in 2010. However, the group said that the significant improvement it made in 2010 largely remains intact.
Berendsen chairman Chris Kimball said: “Our medium and longer term ambitions for the group remain clear as the benefits of the various initiatives materialise. The board expects first half trends to continue for the balance of 2011 resulting in good year-on-year progress.”
