Inverurie-based Ferguson Group announced record annual profits yesterday.
The firm revealed that pre-tax profits last year had risen by 45% to £12.6million, while turnover was up 33% to £31million.
Ferguson is a specialist in the rental of containers, accommodation and engineering modules to the offshore energy industry worldwide.
Group managing director Steven Ferguson said: “2008 was another excellent year of growth for our group across all our businesses, reflecting the significant investments we have made in our rental fleets worldwide.
“We have put a lot of effort into expanding our global operations in recent years and are gaining significant benefits from our management teams’ broad experience in international business.
“The success of this strategy has resulted in the proportion of group revenues derived from overseas sources growing to more than 65%.”
The group is investing more than £60million across operations from 2008-11 and continued to focus heavily in expanding activity at overseas locations during the latest year, including opening a base in Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory to complement bases in Perth and Dampier in Western Australia.
Other developments since the end of 2008 include appointing a dedicated business development manager in Dubai to cover the Middle East.
Looking ahead to the rest of 2009, Mr Ferguson was confident that the firm would come through the current downturn in good shape to move ahead.
He said: “We are committed to continuing to develop opportunities to expand our services and this year has already seen the Ferguson Group start a company in Singapore and launch a new business division specialising in accommodation barges.
“Other plans are in place to further increase our international presence as well as continuing to invest appropriately in our rental fleets.”
The group employs more than 140 people worldwide.
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