The Irish-based merchanting group Grafton increased first half turnover by 10.4% to Eur 1,427.2m and the trading profit advanced by 9.5% to EUR 106.9m. 

The Irish results performed strongly in a buoyant market, with the profit moving ahead by 32.0% to €56.0m as turnover rose by 18.1% to EUR 590.7m.

The British operations had to cope with a softer market and while turnover improved by 5.4% to €836.5m, the trading profit declined by 8.0% to EUR 49.8m. 

The Euromix mortars business is continuing to expand with a new plant opened in Leeds in July, but margins are becoming tighter in the British mortars business.