Operational improvements drive Smith Group profits higher

28th Sep 2011 07:24

Operational improvements helped Smiths Group, which makes equipment such as airport scanners, post a sharp rise in profits for the year to 31 July.Pre-tax profits rose to £486m from £435m on sales that climbed to £2.84bn from £2.77bn. The full year dividend was lifted to 36.25p from 34p."We continue to build a solid foundation for future growth through further operational efficiencies and greater investment in new product development, sales and marketing effectiveness, expansion of our emerging market exposure and targeted acquisitions," chief executive Philip Bowman said. "The results again demonstrate the significant benefits delivered by our sustained focus on operational improvement that have driven margins to new highs."