Merson Group, the East Kilbride business which specialises in signage for football stadia, banks, retailers and other clients, saw profits rise last year despite difficult trading conditions.
The group, which employs around 300 people, said productivity improvements had helped margins edge up, although sales were flat at £31.9 million. Contract highlights of the year included signage for Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium.
Underlying earnings at the company, which is backed by the Scottish Loan Fund, rose to £1.1 million from £734,000.
Merson said the business had experienced “mixed market conditions” during the year, with the banking and retail sectors coming under pressure, although its cladding and infrastructure markets saw growth.
Chief executive Roddy Angus said the firm, which was founded in 1938, was witnessing “probably the biggest shake-up in the retail, automotive and banking sectors that we have experienced this century”.
But he said the firm was benefitting from work on repositioning of a number of major brands as they adapt to the impact of the shift to online.
In infrastructure, where the firm provides signage for road, rail and airport developments, Angus said there had been a “solid performance” and highlighted work on the new ‘Crossrail’ Elizabeth Line where it has completed work on its original scope at six main stations including three at Heathrow and is now working on 22 feeder stations.
In the market for building products, the firm said there was strong evidence of projects being held back by Brexit.
