Moray company Forsyths continues to thrive on the strength of its two core markets, whisky and oil and gas, its latest results show.
The firm, whose activities cover coppersmithing, steel fabrication, electrical and plumbing contracting, joinery, building and scaffolding services, saw pre-tax profits soar nearly 70% to £4.83million in the year to October 31, 2012.
Turnover in the latest period jumped to £36.6million, from £33.9million previously.
Managing director Richard Forsyth told the Press and Journal substantial investment in the business in the past few years was paying off.
He said Forsyths, which manufactures stills for whisky distilleries and also produces goods for the international oil and gas industry, was also reaping the rewards of buoyancy in its main markets.
“These are industries going through boom times just now and our focus in these areas has worked very well for us.” he added.
Mr Forsyth said the firm had invested around £5million on its premises and plant over the past five years, and this should help it continue to prosper.”
The Rothes-based company currently employ around 320 people, having taken on an extra 30 in the past year.
Expansion during 2011-12 also included an extension to the firm’s main base and the acquisition of smaller Elgin-based rival Northern Fabricators for an undisclosed sum.
Forsyth’s has its roots in a brass and copperworks bought by the current MD’s grandfather, Alexander Forsyth, in 1933. It has been in the Forsyth family ever since.
The firm almost went out of business after the start of World War II, but then saw boom times as the whisky industry thrived in the 1960s and 1970s.
Alexander’s son, Ernest took control of it after the war, handing over the reins to the current boss in the 1970s.
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