Building materials group Epwin (EPWN) grew half-year earnings per share by 60 per cent to 4.59p, thanks to a focus on cost-cutting and margin improvement in the extrusion business. This was despite overall flat sales and a disappointing performance from the fabrication division, which suffered due to lumpy orders and a soft repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) market.
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Given this backdrop - and while his colleagues bring down manufacturing costs and improve cash flows - chief executive Jon Bednall has his eye on "two or three" potential acquisitions. And Mr Bednall's confidence in hitting profit forecasts this year was reflected in a 50 per cent hike in the interim dividend to 2.12p.
