Design and engineering consultant W.S. Atkins said yesterday its energy division had continued to perform well despite falling turnover and profits in the wider group.
The firm, which employs more than 1,300 people in the energy arm, including about 200 in Aberdeen, said the energy business had increased turnover by 25% in the six months to the end of September, while operating profits were up by 30%, and the company said it now wanted to recruit more than 20 people to boost its Aberdeen workforce.
Turnover for Atkins Energy was £72.5million, while operating profits were £5.6million.
The figures for the energy business contrast with a 3% dip in group turnover to £815.7million and a 9% fall in operating profits to £44.8million. Group pre-tax profits were up 14% at £50.4million, however.
Atkins Energy chief executive Martin Grant said the future looked even brighter for the division “across all sectors; renewables, oil and gas, power and nuclear”, adding: “We have sufficient growth in hand to support further headcount expansion in the second half.”
Atkins said the wider group’s performance had been affected by weak market conditions in North America and project delays in the Middle East, but said its European and Asia Pacific operations had continued to grow.
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